The Relationship of Palatal Dimensions for Iraqi Adolescents with Different Dental Angle Classifications

Aims: To determine and compare the palatal dimensions of Iraqi adolescents with different Angle classifications in Mosul City, and to determine the correlation among the palatal dimensions. Materials and Methods: the sample consist of 142 orthodontic models of school students aged 13 – 17 years with different occlusal relationships (class I normal occlusion, class II (division 1 and 2) and class III malocclusions). Eleven palatal parameters were measured by using dental vernier and included; dental arch width at the canine, 1st premolar, 2nd premolar, 1st molar , arch depth at canine and 1st molar, palatal height at canine,1st premolar, 2nd premolar, 1st molar and arch perimeter. The mean and standard deviation were calculated , analysis of variance(ANOVA), Duncan's multiple analysis range test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Class I normal occlusion had wider inter 1st premolar width and shallower palate at the canine ,premolars and molar region as compared with malocclusion groups in both genders, while Class II division 1had narrower and higher palate than other occlusal groups. Class II division 2 had shorter canine and molar depth than other occlusal groups in both genders in addition Class II division 2 had smaller arch perimeter as compared to other occlusal groups in females. The correlation among palatal dimensions revealed that palatal widths, arch perimeter and molar depth were highly and positively correlated with each other, while palatal height measurements were only positively correlated to each other and negatively poorly correlated to other measurements in all occlusal groups except in Cl II division 1 in males .This shows a highly significant correlation of palatal height at 2nd premolar and 1st molar with inter premolars and 1st molar width. Conclusions: Differences exist in most of palatal dimensions among different types of malocclusion and Class I normal occlusion these differences may help to define the dental characteristics of these problems and simplify their therapeutic managements and palatal expansion may be considered before or during treatment class II division 1.