Mandibular intercanine width in pre and mid orthodontic treatment in extraction and non-extraction cases

Abstract

Introduction:  Arch width changes during orthodontic treatment. Maintaining of pre-treatment intercanine width reduces the risk of relapse and increases the chance of stability. The ideal would be to reproduce the patient original arch form. The aim of this study was to investigate mid treatment mandibular intercanine width changes in the extraction and non-extraction cases.

Material and methods: The sample consisted of 61 consecutive orthodontic patients (29 extractions and 32 non extractions).  27 Patients were males (44.4%) and 34 females (55.7%).  The mean age of the sample was (20.11  4.6 years). The intercanine width was measured on plaster casts (pre and mid treatment) from the cusp tip of the canine using a digital vernier caliper.  

Results: Mean value of the intercanine width in non-extraction group was 26.5± 1.74 ,27.07± 1.76 respectively.  The mean Inter canine width pre and mid treatment in extraction group was 26.7±2.32, 27.54 ± 2.36, respectively.  Mandibular inter canine widths increases in mid treatment in both groups.  Mandibular intercanine widths showed no significant difference between the two treatment groups.

Conclusions: Mandibular intercanine width increases in both groups.  There is no significant difference observed between the groups.