Dental arch morphology in normal occlusions

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of 3 different mandibular dental arch morphologies in individuals with natural normal occlusion. Methods: Fifty-one mandibular dental casts of Caucasian individuals with natural normal occlusion were digitized. Each was without a history of orthodontic treatment and presenting at least four of the six keys to normal occlusion described by Andrews. Twelve orthodontists evaluated the prevalence of the square, oval and tapered arch shapes by analyzing the mandibular digital images. Results: The most prevalent dental arch shape was oval (41%), followed by square (39%), and tapered (20%) shapes. Conclusions: During leveling and alignment phases, when elastic-alloy-wires are greatly used, the orthodontist could use any of the studied arch shapes (oval, square, tapered), once the prevalence of all of them was similar.

Análise morfológica dos fissurados de lábio e palato do Centro de Tratamento de Anomalias Craniofaciais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Morphological analysis of patients with cleft of lip and palate from Treatment Center of Craniofacial Anomalies of Rio de Janeiro state

OBJETIVO: caracterizar o padrão oclusal e facial para diagnosticar as necessidades reabilitadoras dos fissurados de lábio e palato do Centro de Tratamento de Anomalias Craniofaciais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. METODOLOGIA: vinte indivíduos, com fissura transforame incisivo unilateral, operados de lábio e palato, sem histórico de tratamento ortodôntico, foram avaliados, por meio de modelos de gesso superior, quanto à dimensão transversa e forma do arco superior, assim como a presença de mordidas cruzadas, com os modelos em MIH. O padrão facial, analisado por meio de fotografias de perfil, e a presença de enxerto ósseo na área da fissura, diagnosticada através de radiografias oclusais, foram também determinados. Os dados referentes à dimensão transversa foram confrontados com as médias de um grupo com oclusão normal (n=22). RESULTADOS: a comparação indicou forte atresia do arco superior associada a diferentes mordidas cruzadas na amostra fissurada. Já o padrão facial revelou clara deficiência do terço médio, enquanto o enxerto ósseo alveolar não se fez presente no processo de reabilitação. CONCLUSÃO: a atresia maxilar em associação com as mordidas cruzadas são fatos que comprovam o impacto negativo das cirurgias de lábio e palato no crescimento tridimensional da maxila. A busca pelo padrão ouro de reabilitação não será possível sem o enxerto ósseo, uma modalidade cirúrgica que confere unidade à base óssea maxilar e provê integridade ao rebordo alveolar.

AIM: To characterize the occlusion and facial pattern to diagnose the rehabilitation requirements of patients with cleft of lip and palate from Center for Treatment of Craniofacial Anomalies of Rio de Janeiro state. METHODS: A sample of 20 cleft lip and palate patients, operated of lip and palate, without orthodontic treatment were selected. The transversal dimensions and morphology of maxillary dental arches, as well as facial pattern and inherent characteristics of rehabilitation process were evaluated. Transversal dimensions were compared with a normal occlusion group (n=22). RESULTS: Data indicated transverse maxillary deficiency associated to different kinds of cross-bites in the cleft group. Facial profile shows strong tendency for maxillary hypoplasia, while alveolar bone graft was absent in the rehabilitation process. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the impact of primary surgeries of lip and palate on the three-dimensional growing of maxilla. The gold pattern of rehabilitation cannot be reached without alveolar bone graft, a therapy that provides unity and integrity to alveolar maxillary bone.