Shape and size of dental arch--a five-year prospective study.

Objectives: The diagnostic procedure commences with the initial examination, during which a number of individual findings of the occlusion or malocclusion are clarified [1]. The objective is to describe the morphological and functional characteristics on each patient using specific guidelines, and then to provide a prognosis of the therapy. Upper and lower arch compression in first premolars and molars area was visible before treatment.

Three-dimensional visualisation and analysis of post-operative changes in the size and shape of the dental arch and palate.

In craniofacial surgery and orthodontics, three-dimensional computer models of the dental arch and palate have recently entered usage in diagnosis assessment, treatment planning, case presentations and evaluation of treatment progress and outcome. In this contribution, we show how effective visualisation and evaluation of changes in the size and shape of the dental arch and palate in a given patient can be performed using superimposition of two or more 3D computer models that record the condition before and after treatment. We also present a method of three-dimensional measurement of the dental arch and palate suitable for evaluation of treatment results within retrospective and prospective studies in larger samples of subjects.

Average arch widths and associated changes between initial, post-treatment and post-retention measurements.

Computer image monitoring was used for evaluation of dental arch changes. A new special device captured geometrically calibrated images permitting comparison of several different dental casts. In the first part of this study 792 sets of study casts were screened.