Exploring Midline Asymmetry: A Comprehensive Study Among Adolescents in the North Bihar Population

Abstract

Objectives In the contemporary era, achieving a sense of equilibrium is a paramount concern, and a visually pleasing smile is intricately linked to both professional success and social acceptance. Esthetics, with a specific focus on Oro-facial aesthetics, emerges as a primary motivation for individuals seeking dental treatment. Nevertheless, there exists an optimal and aesthetically pleasing range of dental midline deviation. The current study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of dental midline shifting and the average extent of midline discrepancy among adolescents (aged 13-17) from North Bihar population. Material & Methods Two hundred subjects participated in the study, with 100 males and 100 females selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Intraoral frontal occlusion photographs were captured for each participant, and subsequent analysis was done utilizing Digimizer software. Statistical analysis was applied to the linear measurement data obtained through photographic evaluation. Results The study’s findings revealed a noteworthy proportion of subjects displaying deviations between upper and lower midlines and anterior teeth midlines, falling within the range of 0.03-3.80 mm. Conclusion The prevalence of these deviations was observed to be higher in males compared to females, and this difference was statistically significant.