Space conditions, palatal vault height, and tooth size in patients with and without palatally displaced canines: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES:: To assess palatal vault height, tooth size, and dental arch dimensions in patients with unilateral and bilateral palatally displaced canines compared with a control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:: A sample of 66 patients (mean age: 11.5 ± 1.0 years) with 22 unilateral palatally displaced canines (UPDCs), 22 bilateral palatally displaced canines (BPDCs), and 22 controls (C) were consecutively recruited. All three groups had dental casts that were scanned digitally using the OrthoX three-dimensional model scanner. Tooth size, palatal vault height, dental arch width, dental arch depth, dental arch length, and dental arch space were measured by the same examiner using the GOM software. Remeasurements were made in 10 randomly identified patients.

RESULTS:: The palatal vault height was significantly lower in the BPDC group compared with controls. A significantly smaller mesial-distal crown width and, in general, more spacing in the maxilla were found in the UPDC and BPDC groups. No differences in arch length or arch width at the molar region were seen between the groups, while the arch length at the canine region was smaller in the UPDC and BPDC groups. However, this was observed in BPDC patients with both deciduous canines present and in most UPDC patients where the deciduous canine was present, compared with the control group, who had more permanent canines present.

CONCLUSIONS:: Patients with PDC had greater reduction in tooth size compared with the control group. The arch length and arch width were similar in patients with and without PDC.