Comparison Between Dental and Basal Arch Forms in Subjects with Different Vertical Skeletal Patterns Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: This research investigates the important relationship between the dental arch and basal bone in the orthodontic treatment planning process, aiming to evaluate how these arches interact in persons with varying vertical skeletal configurations through the use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Aim: The primary objective is to analyze the association between dental and basal arch shapes in individuals characterized by various vertical skeletal patterns, employing CBCT technology. Methodology: 70 CBCT images was retrieved from the Oral Radiology Department’s archives at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Suez Canal. These images were categorized into three distinct groups based on their SN-MP and gonial angles. The study measured four linear dimensions and two arch form ratios. Group comparisons were conducted employing the One-way ANOVA test, with further validation through Tukey’s post hoc analysis. Additionally, the Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to explore the relationship between dental and basal arch dimensions within each group. Results: The analysis revealed no notable differences in arch dimensions across the three studied groups, with the exception of the dental intermolar depth between the normodivergent and hypodivergent categories. In the normodivergent group, a strong correlation was identified between the dental and basal inter-canine and inter-molar widths, unlike the moderate or absent correlations observed in the hyperdivergent and hypodivergent groups. Conclusion: This investigation underscores a significant positive association between dental and basal arches in normodivergent individuals, in contrast to the moderate or nonexistent correlations in hyperdivergent and hypodivergent subjects. This result may assist clinicians in tailoring treatments for patients with normal, elevated, or reduced skeletal angles