Dentoalveolar development in subjects with normal occlusion. A longitudinal study between the ages of 5 and 31 years

• Published in: European journal of orthodontics Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 109 - 120
• Main Author: Thilander, Birgit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.04.2009; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Alveolar Process; Alveolar Process - growth & development; anatomy & histology; Bicuspid; Bicuspid - anatomy & histology; Cephalometry; Child; Child, Preschool; Cuspid; Cuspid - anatomy & histology; Deciduous; Dental Arch; Dental Arch - growth & development; Dental Models; Dental Occlusion; Female; growth & development; Humans; Incisor; Incisor - anatomy & histology; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mandible; Mandible - growth & development; Maxilla; Maxilla - growth & development; Maxillofacial Development; Maxillofacial Development - physiology; Molar; Molar - anatomy & histology; Odontogenesis; Odontogenesis - physiology; Odontologi; Odontology; Odontometry; Palate; Palate - growth & development; physiology; Preschool; Sex Factors; Tooth; Tooth Crown; Tooth Crown - anatomy & histology; Tooth Eruption; Tooth Eruption - physiology; Tooth, Deciduous - anatomy & histology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0141-5387; 1460-2210; 1460-2210
• DOI: 10.1093/ejo/cjn124

The aim of the present study was to examine dentoalveolar development in subjects with an ‘ideal’ (normal) occlusion. The material comprised 436 study casts of 189 male and 247 female subjects of Swedish origin between the ages of 5 and 31 years with no history of orthodontic treatment. Tooth width, and arch length, width, and depth, as well as palatal height were measured. The data were analysed with a Student's t-test. The results verified that continuous changes of the dental arches occur from the primary until the adult period, with individual variations. This change could be interpreted as a biological migration of the dentition, resulting in anterior crowding especially in the mandible, even in subjects with congenitally missing third molars. The occlusion should be regarded as a dynamic rather than a stable interrelationship between facial structures. This natural development has to be considered in orthodontic treatment planning as well as in assessment of stability following orthodontic treatment. A continuous increase of palatal height up to adulthood seems to be an effect of a slow continuous eruption of the teeth. This finding is also of significance in explaining the infraposition of implant-supported crowns.