Tightness of dental contact points in spaced and non‐spaced permanent dentitions

One of the characteristics of normal occlusion is tight dental contact points (CPs). However, the magnitude and distribution of the tightness of a dental contact point (TDCP) in non‐spaced versus spaced dentitions are unknown, as well as the mechanism controlling this arrangement. Two hypotheses wer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of orthodontics 2001-06, Vol.23 (3), p.305-314
Main Authors: Vardimon, Alexander D., Matsaev, Evgenia, Lieberman, Myron, Brosh, Tamar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Biomechanical Phenomena
Dental Occlusion
Dental Stress Analysis
Dentistry
Dentition, Permanent
Female
Humans
Male
Odontometry
Reference Values
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Summary:One of the characteristics of normal occlusion is tight dental contact points (CPs). However, the magnitude and distribution of the tightness of a dental contact point (TDCP) in non‐spaced versus spaced dentitions are unknown, as well as the mechanism controlling this arrangement. Two hypotheses were examined: the compression theory, i.e. the teeth touch each other in a compressive state; and the resistance theory, i.e. size and number of roots determine TDCP values. For the study, 60 subjects (27 men, 33 women), mean age 25 ± 4.3 years, with a complete permanent dentition and no missing teeth were divided into spaced (n = 22) and non‐spaced dentitions (n = 38). For each CP, four repeated measurements of peak strain were performed with a one‐month interval. No significant differences were found between repeated measurements. All CPs demonstrated a continuous decreased TDCP in the postero‐anterior direction. Consequently, in non‐spaced dentitions TDCPs between molars were 100 per cent higher than incisors. The five anterior CPs of each jaw demonstrated similar TDCP values. Maxillary TDCPs versus mandibular antagonists were not significant. Mandibular TDCPs were significantly higher in men than in women (14 per cent). Anterior TDCPs were less in spaced than in non‐spaced dentitions (55 per cent). Posterior TDCPs were also lower in spaced dentitions, however, to a lesser extent (25 per cent). With the exception of TDCPnon‐spaced > TDCPspaced, which is partially explained by the compression theory, most of the findings support the resistance theory regulating TDCP characteristics of the permanent dentition.
ISSN:0141-5387
1460-2210
DOI:10.1093/ejo/23.3.305