Evaluation of buccolingual molar inclinations in Class II angle’s malocclusion

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the buccolingual molar inclinations in skeletal Class II malocclusion. Patients and methods This study included a cross-sectional analysis performed on a sample of 40 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images acquired from people aged between 20 and 25 years. The patients had a skeletal Class II malocclusion with an ANB angle above 4°. The sample consisted of 20 CBCT scans of patients diagnosed with Class II Division 1 (Div 1) and 20 CBCT scans of patients diagnosed with Class II Div 2. The evaluation measured the angles created by the long axis of teeth in relation to the SN plane and functional occlusal plane. Additionally, the buccolingual inclinations of mandibular molars were evaluated as the angles formed by the long axis of teeth in relation to the mandibular plane and functional occlusal plane. Results The maxillary molars’ buccolingual inclination was significantly increased relative to the occlusal plane and the SN plane. However, the buccolingual inclination of the mandibular molars relative to the mandibular plane did not vary significantly between Class II Div 1 and Class II Div 2 patients, with the exception of the second molars as it was increased in Class II Div 1 patients. Conclusions Class II Div 1 malocclusion exhibited a notable increase in the palatal inclination of the maxillary posterior teeth as compared to Class II Div 2 malocclusion. When comparing Class II Div 2 malocclusion with Class II Div 1, the angle at which the mandibular posterior teeth were positioned was less prominent. Furthermore, the mandibular second molar had a more pronounced lingual inclination in comparison to the mandibular first molar.