Applicability of Bolton's tooth size ratios to a Japanese orthodontic population.

Previous studies have shown that tooth size ratios are ethnicity-, race-, and sex-specific. This study was carried out to determine anterior and overall ratios in a Japanese population and to compare them with Bolton's ratios. Numerical data were obtained from 60 pairs of dental casts of 30 male and 30 female Japanese orthodontic patients. The mesiodistal widths from first molar to first molar were measured on each cast to the nearest 0.01 mm, by using digital calipers, and the anterior and overall ratios were calculated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the parametric t test, and Student t test were used for statistical analyses. No statistically significant difference between men and women was found in either the anterior or overall ratio. The combined male and female anterior and overall ratios were 78.39 +/- 2.18% and 91.60 +/- 2.11%, respectively. The combined male and female anterior ratio showed a statistically significant difference from the Bolton standard, whereas the overall ratio showed no statistically significant difference. Significant discrepancies in the anterior and overall ratios were found in 21.6% and 8.3% of patients, respectively. A high prevalence rate of an anterior tooth size discrepancy more than 2SD above Bolton's mean was found. Bolton's anterior ratio was not applicable to the Japanese population, and specific standard tooth size ratios for the Japanese population are needed.

Shear bond strength differences of types of maxillary deciduous and permanent teeth used as anchor teeth.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the bond strengths of identical orthodontic brackets bonded to maxillary deciduous and permanent teeth, which were used as anchor teeth in sectional edgewise appliance therapy, and to evaluate the modes of bracket/adhesive failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 human maxillary teeth were divided into four groups by tooth type: permanent first premolars (group I), permanent second premolars (group II), deciduous canines (group III), and deciduous second molars (group IV). Each group consisted of seven teeth. Metal premolar brackets were bonded to these specimens using an acid-etching adhesive system. Shear bond strengths were measured using a universal testing machine, and the bracket/ adhesive failure modes were evaluated with the Adhesive Remnant Index. RESULTS: The shear strengths of the bonds on the deciduous canines and second molars were significantly lower than those on the permanent first and/or second premolars. There were no significant differences in shear bond strength between the permanent first and second premolars, and between the deciduous canines and second molars. The shear bond strengths of all four tooth types were higher than the clinically sufficient range of strengths from 6 to 8 MPa. Bond failure at the enamel-adhesive interface occurred more frequently in the deciduous second molars than in the permanent first premolars. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in shear bond strength among different permanent and deciduous tooth types, but deciduous teeth could be used as anchor teeth in orthodontic treatment with sectional edgewise appliances.

Hypodontia patterns and variations in craniofacial morphology in Japanese orthodontic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the association of hypodontia patterns and variations in craniofacial morphology in Japanese orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 girls with hypodontia (the total group) were selected and categorized into anterior, posterior, and anterior-posterior groups according to the location of the congenitally missing teeth. By using the lateral cephalograms of each subject, 28 angular and 37 linear measurements were made. The cephalometric data were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups and with the Japanese cephalometric standards from 36 age-matched female subjects without hypodontia or malocclusion (the control group). RESULTS: Every hypodontia group showed shorter anterior and overall cranial base lengths, shorter maxillary length, greater retroclination and elongation of mandibular incisors, and a larger interincisal angle than the control group. The total and anterior-posterior groups especially exhibited a significantly more prognathic mandible, larger retroclination of maxillary incisors, and a more counterclockwise-rotated occlusal plane. Furthermore, these skeletal and dental deviations were more remarkable in the anterior-posterior group than in either the anterior or the posterior group. Anterior hypodontia exerted as much influence on craniofacial morphology as posterior hypodontia. CONCLUSIONS: When orthodontic treatment is performed on patients with hypodontia, not only the number but also the distribution of missing teeth should be taken into consideration, though there was no significant difference in craniofacial morphology between anterior hypodontia and posterior hypodontia.

Association of advanced hypodontia and craniofacial morphology in Japanese orthodontic patients.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of advanced hypodontia on craniofacial morphology in Japanese patients. We defined advanced hypodontia as a congenital absence of four or more permanent teeth, excluding the third molars. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 20 female orthodontic patients (age range, 8.5 to 19 years; mean age, 13.9 years) were examined. Twenty-eight angular and 37 linear measurements were taken from each cephalogram, and these cephalometric data were statistically analyzed and compared with the Japanese cephalometric standards. The most frequently missing teeth were the mandibular and maxillary second premolars, followed by the maxillary first premolars and the maxillary first molars, in that order. Compared with the Japanese standards, a smaller cranial base length and angle, a shorter maxillary length, a slightly prognathic and upward-rotated mandible, and retroclination of the upper and lower incisors were found in the patients studied. These craniofacial anomalies should be taken into consideration in treatment planning and mechanotherapy.