EVALUATION OF ARCH WIDTH VARIATIONS AMONG SKELETAL VERTICAL PATTERNS

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare arch widths among individuals with different vertical skeletal patterns at Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Orthodontics department, Peshawar Dental College, from July 2022 to February 2023. Ninety patients were selected using non-probability consecutive sampling, divided into normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent groups. Arch width measurements were taken on plaster dental casts, and facial patterns were classified based on the Frankfort mandibular plane angle.

Results: Mean age was 23.58 ± 6.64 years, and wide lower arches were predominant. Statistically significant differences were found in maxillary total arch length (p=0.03) and mandibular posterior intermolar width (p=0.04). Hyperdivergent individuals exhibited narrower maxillary inter-canine (p<0.001), maxillary inter-molar (p=0.010), and mandibular inter-molar (p<0.001) widths compared to hypodivergent and normodivergent subjects. No significant differences were observed in mandibular inter-canine width.

Conclusion: The vertical skeletal pattern significantly influences arch width in both arches, except for mandibular inter-canine width. Arch widths tend to be narrower in high-angle cases.