ABSTRACT
Cephalometric superimposition is unable to evaluate tooth movement along the occlusal plane and the errors of photographing and superimposition of the occlusogram is also inevitable. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the rotational movements of the maxillary posterior teeth following space closure after extraction of maxillary first premolars, using 3D dental images. In 19 adult females, analysis of rotational movements of the maxillary posterior teeth was performed between the initial and final 3D dental images superimposed on the maxillary hard palate. The results showed a diversity of rotational movements of posterior teeth. The causes of various rotational movements may be different rotation of molars in each case at the beginning of treatment, individual characters of the dental arch and tooth morphology. The results of the study indicate that accurate evaluation of rotational movements of posterior teeth following space closure after extraction of premolars using 3D dental images can be obtained through the subdivision of tooth movement during the initial aligning, space closure and finishing stages.