A Study of Correlation of Dimensions of Permanent Upper First Molars with Measurement of Orthodontic Bands Using Digital Modeling in Orthodontic Treatments

Abstract

Digital modeling and 3D printing used in dentistry have enabled the mastery of many forms of manufacturing orthodontic appliances in order to make them more effective and provide comfort to the patient.

Objective of the study: The aim of the study is to reach a correlation between the dimensions of the maxillary first permanent molars and the size of the orthodontic collars used in the expanded orthodontic appliances for the palatal vault.

Materials and methods:

The vestibular, mesio-lingual, and mesio-distal dimensions as well as the circumference of those molars were measured on 193 maxillary first permanent molars with the help of the Ortho analyzer program.

Pearson's correlation coefficient was performed to determine whether they were linear in order to identify the independent variables that show statistically significant relationships with the orthodontic collar measurements, and then linear regression analysis was used in order to obtain a model that can predict the orthodontic collar measurements starting from the independent variables that were kept during the research.

Results: The mean circumference of the permanent maxillary molars in males was (36.55 ± 1.96) and this mean was greater than the circumference of the permanent maxillary first molars in females (35.27 ± 1.49) and the difference was statistically significant at 0.001˂P, A correlation of (R=0.952) was obtained between the measurement of the circumference of the permanent maxillary first molars and the measurement of the orthodontic bands in the sample group in which the rubber spacers (separation rubber) were used.

Conclusion: There is a relationship between the measurement of the circumference of the permanent maxillary first molars and the measurement of the orthodontic bands, which allows predicting the degree of 90% of the measurement of these bands.