A comparative study of the angles between crown axis and root axis in mesiodistal direction by using orthopantomogram

Kim, Young Joon; Choi, Hyun Sil

Abstract

Orthopantomogram is commonly used to evaluate root parallelism. "Good parallelism" between roots is widely accepted as one of the guidelines of a successful orthodontic treatment. In case there was a large angle between crown axis and root axis, and if we valued only the position of crown in establishing occlusal relationship without considering of the situation of root, the problem of root arrangement between adjacent teeth would be occurred. The estimate of root parallelism in mesiodistal direction before and after orthodontic treatment must be emphasized. The intent of this study was to determine the clinical importance and correlation of the angle between crown axis and root axis. Orthopantomograms of 105 orthodontic patients being treated in Yonsei university were used in this study. Twenty-eight teeth in both maxilla and mandible were selected and analyzed quantitively to evaluate the angle between crown axis and root axis, and obtain the correlationship among the individual teeth. The results are as follows: 1. Among the teeth presenting normal distribution, the maxillary right canine showed the largest mean valuer 5.73+/-4.42degrees), which was composed of the crown-root angles, and the mandibular left lateral incisor showed the smallest mean valuer 0.60+/-3.76degrees). 2. The crown-root angles of the maxillary incisors and the first molars, and the mandibular central incisors and the first molars didn`t show normal distribution and the ranges of these angles were dispersed. 3. Significant differences were present between the crown axis and the root axis except for lower first premolars. (p<0.05) 4. No significant difference was present for the crown-root angle between right and left side. (p<0.05) 5. No significant difference was present for the crown-root angle between male and female except for lower left first premolar. (p<0.05) 6. In the upper right quadrant, significant correlations were present between crown-root angles of the central incisor and lateral incisor, lateral incisor and canine. In the upper left quadrant, significant correlations were present between crown-root angles of the central incisor and lateral incisor. In the lower right quadrant, significant correlations were present between crown-root angles of the central incisor and lateral incisor, first molar and second molar. In the lower left quadrant, significant correlations were present between crown-root angles of the central incisor and lateral incisor, lateral incisor and canine, first molar and second molar. (p<0.05)