Palatal depth and arch parameter in class I open bite, deep bite and normal occlusion

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to measure the palatal depth, maxillary and mandibular arch widths and circumferences in three groups class I open bite, class I deep bite and class I normal occlusion, to compare the results among the three groups and to find the correlation coefficient among the different variables in each group separately to identify any possible correlation among palatal depth, maxillary and mandibular arch widths and arches circumferences. Seventy two sets of casts divided into 3 groups [class I open bite malocclusion, class I deep bite malocclusion and class I normal occlusion] were used. Palatal depth, maxillary and mandibular arch widths and arches circumferences were measured using a sliding gauge caliper, readouts were rounded to 0.1 mm. The palatal depth was the highest in open bite followed by normal and then in deep bite. The intermaxillary widths were the highest in normal occlusion followed by deep bite and then open bite. No significant differences were seen in the mandibular widths among the three groups. Correlation coefficient among variables expressed considerable variation