Mandibular arch form and late anterior crowding

Abstract EN

Background: Postadolescent crowding in the lower dental arch that develops after completion of permanent dentition and during teenage period is a common orthodontic problem and usually occurs in the incisors region.

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the distribution of different mandibular arch forms in late lower anterior crowded dentition.

Materials and Method: The research surveyed 73 patients (33 boys and 40 girls) with various severities of late lower anterior crowding assessed by the classical Irregularity Index of Little1, while the mandibular arch form was determined by applying the approach of Raberin et al.

Results: The data declared the sequential distribution of flat, pointed, mid, narrow, and wide forms (37%, 30%, 18%, 12%, 3%) respectively, with no clear gender dimorphism.

It appears that this distribution is not greatly affected by the severity of the crowding.

Conclusion: The common feature of reduced anterior arch length in late lower crowded dentition leads to the superiority of the flat arches followed by the pointed form with reduced intercanine width.

Key words: Mandibular crowding, arch form.

(J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2007; 19(1): 95-100).