Intermaxillary tooth size discrepancies among different malocclusion classes: a comparative study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a difference exists in intermaxillary tooth size among different malocclusion groups in Saudi patients. The study consisted of 240 pretreatment orthodontic casts (Sixty cases in each malocclusion class, in addition to normal occlusion). The results of the study shows no significant difference in the incidence of tooth size discrepancies for the overall ratio and anterior ratio between the different malocclusion groups, except for the anterior ratio in class III malocclusion. Further, no statistical significant difference was observed between males and females. When the mean values of the present study were compared to that of Bolton's, a significant difference was found in all the malocclusion classes.We can conclude from this study that Bolton tooth size analysis is an important diagnostic tool, and should be taken into consideration before initiation of orthodontic treatment.