COMPARING ARCH WIDTH, ALVEOLAR WIDTH ANDBUCCOLINGUAL INCLINATION OF POSTERIOR TEETH IN SUBJECTS WITH CLASS IANDCLASS II MALOCCLUSION

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the arch width, alveolar width and buccolingual inclination of posterior teeth between Class I and Class II Div 1 malocclusion subjects. Materials and method: A sample of120 subjects (60 males and 60 females) in the age group of 16-19 years with Class I and Class II Div 1 malocclusion were chosen and arch width, alveolar width and buccolingual inclination of posterior teeth were measured and compared between the groups. Result: The maxillary posterior teeth showed more palatal inclination in Class II Div 1 malocclusion when compared with Class I group. Conclusion:Transverse discrepancy in Class II Div 1 might be due to more palatal inclination of maxillary posterior teeth rather than arch width and alveolar width. Hence slow maxillary expansion should be preferred for correcting the palatal inclination rather than rapid palatal expansion.