Evaluation of First Molar Inclinations and Transverse Arch Width in Individuals With Posterior Crossbite

The maxillary dental arch covers the mandibular arch in every space like a box cover in normal occlusion. The transversal disappearance of this relationship is called a crossbite. If this deformity occurs between posterior group teeth, it is defined as a posterior crossbite. In other words, in posterior crossbite, while the teeth are in centric occlusion, the vestibule tubercles of the upper posterior teeth come into contact with the central fossa of the lower posterior teeth. This occlusal discrepancy may concern only one tooth, or it may involve multiple teeth or all teeth. A posterior crossbite can be observed unilaterally or bilaterally and is usually caused by insufficient width of the upper jaw compared to the lower jaw.

Crossbite; stated that it is a term used for the abnormal buccal, labial, or lingual relations of the lower and upper jaw teeth or tooth groups when the lower and upper dental arches are in the closing state. Crossbite is divided into two groups as anterior and posterior crossbite according to the region in the mouth. Anterior crossbite indicates malocclusion of the jaws and/or dental arches in the sagittal direction, while posterior crossbite indicates malocclusion in the transversal direction. Posterior crossbite is defined as the contact of the buccal tubercles of the posterior maxillary teeth with the lingual tubercles of the opposite mandibular teeth. This anomaly can be seen unilaterally or bilaterally and may involve one or more teeth. In addition, although the canines were anterior teeth before, these teeth were included in the posterior region while expressing posterior crossbite. A posterior crossbite can be seen in the primary, mixed, and permanent dentition period.

Posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms are the most readily available and reliable diagnostic tool for the radiological identification and evaluation of transversal irregularities. Traditionally, orthodontists have focused on two-dimensional lateral cephalograms; however, treatment is done in all three planes. A planar assessment of the transverse space cannot be made unless the PA cephalogram is analyzed. Typically, standard PA cephalograms were not used as part of routine diagnostic recordings. However, PA radiographs should be added as an additional recording material in individuals with a posterior crossbite.

Digital radiographs and digital photographs are becoming the norm in orthodontic records. Recent developments also include electronic working models. Because the medical and dental anamnesis, digital photos, radiographs, and all treatment notes were in digital format have become desirable to obtain digital study models. Dental cast models have a long and proven history in orthodontics. It has become the "gold standard" in orthodontics with many advantages, from cast models that can be mounted on an articulator for a three-dimensional study, from routine dental examination to ease of manufacture, cheapness, and ease of measurement. Digital operating models offer advantages that include storage and reassessment, ease of cross-transmission, and possibly equal or better diagnostic capabilities. In addition, linear dental anatomical measurements were obtained from plaster and digital models, while Bolton analysis was performed on the cast and digital models.

At the beginning of the treatment, dental plaster models obtained from the lower and upper jaw dimensions will be scanned with a three-dimensional model scanning device (3 Shape R700 3D Scanner, 3 Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark). Scanned models will be analyzed with the 3Shape Orthoanalyzer program (3Shape A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark). A point will be placed on the distal, facial, mesial, and lingual surfaces of each tooth, from the right first permanent molar to the left first permanent molar in the same arch. These points will be chosen by the rules established by Moyers et al. and Brust and McNamara to determine the geometric center of each tooth, the tooth center. This point provides a broader arc width measurement because it will eliminate the effect of tooth rotation. After cast rotation, the first molars' facial and lingual cusp crests will be selected to assess molar tooth tilt and angulation. An inclination below 180 degrees indicates that the molars are inclined buccally, while values above 180 degrees indicate that these teeth are inclined lingually.

Dental arch width measurements will be measured between the following teeth: permanent canines, first premolars, second premolars, and permanent first molars. Arch width will be evaluated with two sets of measurements: the distance from the lingual point of the selected tooth to the similar point on its antimere and between the centroid and antimer of a tooth.

The arch depth shall be measured as the distance from the midpoint between the facial surfaces of the central incisors to the tangent line to the mesial surfaces of the first permanent molars. Arch circumference will be determined by summing the segments between the points of contact from the mesial surface of the first permanent molar to the mesial surface of the opposite first permanent molar.