Correlating Dental Dimensions and Malocclusion Phenotypes in Brazilian Population: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To evaluate the association between tooth dimensions and skeletal malocclusions in a Brazilian population.

Material and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 144 orthodontic records. Tooth dimensions were assessed using dental casts for orthodontic diagnosis and a digital caliper. Sagittal skeletal discrepancies were used using angular measurements: the angle between sella, nasion, and subspinale point A (SNA), the angle between sella, nasion, and supramentale point B (SNB), and the angle between subspinale point A, nasion, and supramentale point B (ANB). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the tooth measurements between skeletal malocclusion groups. Spearman correlation was applied to evaluate the correlation between tooth measurements and ANB, SNA, and SNB values. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of 5%.

Results: There was a significant difference between the mean tooth proportions of teeth 15, 23, 24, 34, and 44 and the retruded maxilla (P< .05). Teeth 12, 15, and 26 also showed statistical differences in the group in which the maxilla was protruded (P< .05). Teeth 12, 16, and 26 were larger in the group in which the mandible was protruded (P< .05). The SNB angle had a negative correlation with the mean dimensional proportion of tooth 41 (r2=.200; P= .042).

Conclusion: There was a correlation between tooth dimensions and maxillary/mandible phenotypes a Brazilian population.