Research

The correlation between physique and dental arch size

Seung Hun Lee1,*   In Suk Park1   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Cheongam College

Abstract

We analyzed the correlation between physique and size of the dental arch of college students with normal occlusion. Ninety-nine college students filled out the prepared questionnaire. The length and width of the dental arch of the students was measured using a plaster model after taking an impression. The data were analyzed using the t-test and correlational analysis.The maxilla arch length was 3.70 mm longer and the inter-molar width of the maxilla was 3.06 mm longer in men (both p<0.01) than in women. Additionally, the mandible was 3.66 mm longer in men as compared to those in the women (p<0.01). As height increased, there was increase in the body weight (α=0.683, p<0.01), maxilla arch length (α=0.373, p<0.01), molar width of the maxilla (α=0.214, p<0.05), and the mandible (α=0.280, p<0.01). The greater the weight increase, the greater the maxillary arch length increase (α=0.392, p<0.01), and the greater the molar width of the maxilla (α=0.336, p<0.01) and mandible (α=0.502, p<0.01) increase. As physical size (both height and weight) increased, the maxillary length and molar width also increased. Based on the results of this study, the cause of malocclusion, form and size of the dental arch, and stable occlusion can be used as basic data.

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1. Measurements of the dental arch 1: