Prevalence of asymmetric molar relationship in orthodontic patients

Abstract

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment aims at attainment of ideal occlusion. With the soft tissue paradigm shift, more stress is placed on achievement of balanced facial proportions and occlusal goals become secondary. Albeit these changes, achievement of optimal functional occlusion remains the mainstay of stability. Hence the aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of asymmetry between right and left molar relationship.

Material and Methods: Data was obtained from study casts of 105 patients reporting to Orthodontic Department, Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad. These patients were to undergo fixed appliance treatment. Molar relationship was recorded from both sides of the study casts in centric occlusion. Statistical analysis and chi-square tests were applied using SPSS 21 to find out significance.

Results: 39% patients had asymmetric molar relationship while 61% patients had symmetric molar relationship. Half cusp asymmetry was found in 7.6% of the sample and full cusp asymmetry was found in 10.4 % of the patients with asymmetry.

Conclusions: Asymmetric molar relationship is found in Orthodontic patients which expresses mostly in the form of full cup relationship rather than being equivalent to half cusp molar relationship.