Tooth size and arch parameters of normal occlusion in a large Korean sample

Lee, Shin Jae; Moon, Seong Cheol; Kim, Tae Woo; Nahm, Dong Seok; Chang, Young Il

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish normative data on the tooth size and arch parameters of Koreans with normal occlusion. This study employed the dental casts of 296 (male: 179; female 117) normal occlusion samples, who were selected from 15,836 adults through a community dental health survey. The mesiodistal diameters of teeth, arch width, and arch length were measured by digital electronic calipers (accurate to 0.01 mm) and Bolton's indices as well as intermaxillary arch width ratios were calculated. In order to ensure reliability, intra- and inter-examiner error were evaluated. Although our dimensional data showed overt differences between genders, the indices and intermaxillary ratios evaluated were the same. The resultant data obtained were compared with the previous data to reveal whether any changes have occurred over the time. The clinical implication of the present findings was also discussed. This biometric study seemed to provide a clinically applicable diagnostic criteria for an individual malocclusion patient.