Orientador: Marcelo de Castro Meneghim / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T04:07:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Garcia_Gustavo_D.pdf: 1648860 bytes, checksum: c89f056b701ff9361f25b0cb2deadfb2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico e sua associação com determinantes subjetivos. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico transversal para avaliação da prevalência de cárie (CPOD), da necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico (DAI - Dental Aesthetic Index e DHC - IOTN - Dental Health Component - Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) e de variáveis subjetivas: auto-estima - GSE (Global Self evaluation), auto-avaliação - AC - IOTN (Aesthetic Component - Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need), autopercepção - OASIS (Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale), interesse ortodôntico. A amostra probabilística por conglomerados consistiu de 528 adolescentes de 15 anos, selecionados em 10 escolas públicas de Piracicaba, SP, Brasil, sem histórico de tratamento ortodôntico prévio ou presente e/ou alguma limitação que impedisse a realização do exame. Os exames foram realizados por dois examinadores previamente calibrados. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise estatística, utilizando os testes Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher e Regressão logística múltipla, com nível de significância de 5%. Não foi observado associação entre cárie, auto-estima e interesse ortodôntico com a necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico. A associação auto-avaliação (AC - IOTN) e necessidade de tratamento (DAI) foram estatisticamente significante (p<0,05), assim como a associação autopercepção (OASIS) e necessidade de tratamento (DHC - IOTN) (p<0,05). Na regressão logística múltipla, os adolescentes com auto-avaliação negativa tiveram 4,4 vezes mais chance de apresentar DAI ? 26 e aqueles com autopercepção negativa 1,68 vezes mais chance de ter DHC > 2. Conclui-se que a prevalência de cárie dentária não foi associada à necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico e que, das variáveis subjetivas, a autopercepção foi importante na decisão do tratamento ortodôntico / Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the orthodontic treatment need and its association with subjective determinants. This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study for assessment of caries prevalence (DMFT), orthodontic treatment need (DAI - Dental Aesthetic Index and DHC - IOTN - Dental Health Component - Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) and subjective variables: self esteem - GSE (Global Self evaluation), self assessment - AC - IOTN (Aesthetic Component - Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need), self perception - OASIS (Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale), orthodontic interest. The cluster sampling consisted of 528 adolescents aged 15 years, selected from 10 public schools in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, without history of previous or current orthodontic treatment and / or limitations that prohibited the exam. The exams were carried out by two previously calibrated examiners. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis, using the chi-square or Fisher exact tests and multiple logistic regressions, with a significance level of 5%. It was not observed associate between caries, self-esteem and orthodontic interest with treatment orthodontic need. The association self-assessment (AC - IOTN) and treatment need (DAI) was statistically significant (p <0.05), as well as the association self perception (OASIS) and treatment need (DHC - IOTN) (p <0.05). In multiple logistic regressions, adolescents with negative self assessment were 4.4 times more likely to present DAI ? 26 and those with negative self perception 1.68 times more likely to have DHC > 2 . It was concluded that the prevalence of dental caries was not associated with the need of orthodontic treatment and among all the subjective variables, self perception was important in the decision of orthodontic treatment / Doutorado / Saude Coletiva / Doutor em Odontologia

Orientador: Frab Norberto Bóscolo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T04:09:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ramirez-Sotelo_LauraRicardina_D.pdf: 1681017 bytes, checksum: 948bf57afd3cf56354df233fedc8eafe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Métodos têm sido propostos para analisar a articulação temporomandibular, com o intuito de avaliar as estruturas nesta região, principalmente em indivíduos com padrões esqueléticos diferentes, pois o tratamento ortodôntico realizado, neste grupo de indivíduos, pode trazer consequências diretas na morfologia e função articular. Neste estudo, comparou-se as regiões medial central e lateral da ATM de indivíduos com padrão esquelético I, II e III, pelas medidas relação da cabeça da mandíbula com a fossa mandibular, inclinação da vertente posterior da eminência articular e altura da eminência articular. Foram avaliadas as imagens de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico de 95 indivíduos com padrões esqueléticos I (N=36), II (N=31) e III (N=28). Três examinadores independentes avaliaram as imagens da articulação temporomandibular, na região lateral central e medial, em dois momentos diferentes. Houve correlação inter e intraexaminador de satisfatória a excelente para todas as medidas avaliadas em cada região da articulação e nos três tipos de padrão esquelético. Não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas na relação entre a cabeça da mandíbula com a fossa mandibular, nem na inclinação da vertente posterior e altura da eminência articular entre os padrões esqueléticos estudados em nenhuma das regiões. As medidas apresentaram diferença estatística significativa entre a região central, lateral e medial em cada tipo de padrão esquelético I, II e III, exceto a medida da inclinação da vertente posterior da eminência articular para indivíduos de padrão esquelético I no lado direito (p?0,05). Houve diferença estatística entre ambos os lados para as medidas da inclinação da eminência na região central do grupo de padrão esquelético I e para a medida do espaço articular anterior em todas as regiões e todos os padrões esqueléticos (p?0,05). Concluiu-se que não há influência do padrão esquelético I, II, III na relação da cabeça da mandíbula com a fossa mandibular, inclinação da vertente posterior e altura da eminência articular nas regiões estudadas em nenhuma das regiões estudadas. E a avaliação desses mesmos parâmetros ósseos em indivíduos com padrões esqueléticos I, II e III devem ser realizados em diferentes regiões, já que o corte central nem sempre representa a relação óssea da articulação em toda a sua extensão / Abstract: Methods have been proposed to analyze the temporomandibular joint, in order to evaluate the structures of this region particularly in individuals with different skeletal patterns, since the orthodontic treatment performed in this group of people can bring direct effect on the morphology and joint function. This study evaluated the relationship between the mandibular condylar process - mandibular fosse, the slope of the posterior slope and the height of the articular eminence in medial regions, central and lateral temporomandibular joint of individuals with skeletal patterns I, II and III. Were evaluated computed tomography cone beam of 95 patients with skeletal patterns I (N = 36), II (n = 31) and third (N = 28). Three independent observers evaluated the images of the temporomandibular joint, the lateral, central and medial region, at two different times. There was correlation, inter and intra-rater, from satisfactory to excellent for all measures evaluated in each region of the joint in the three types of skeletal pattern evaluated. There were not statistically significant differences in the relation between the mandibular condylar process and the mandibular fosse or the slope of the posterior slope and the height of the articular eminence in any of the regions between the studied skeletal patterns. The measures showed statistically significant differences between the central, lateral and medial in each type of skeletal pattern I, II and III, except the measure of the slope of the posterior slope of the articular eminence in skeletal pattern I on the right side (p?0,05). There was statistical difference between measures, of both sides, of the slope of the eminence in central skeletal pattern of group I, and for the measure of the previous joint space in all regions and all skeletal patterns (p = 0.05). It was concluded that there is no influence of the skeletal pattern I, II, III in respect of the mandibular condylar process with the mandibular fosse, posterior slope of the slope and height of the articular eminence in the regions studied in any of the studied regions. And the evaluation of the same bone parameters in subjects with skeletal patterns I, II and III should be conducted in different regions, as the central court is not always the bone of the joint relationship in all its extension / Doutorado / Radiologia Odontologica / Doutora em Radiologia Odontológica

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o tempo de tratamento em pacientes com e sem apinhamento apresentando inicialmente má oclusão de Classe II tratados com exodontia de quatro pré-molares. A amostra do estudo foi selecionada a partir do arquivo de modelos de gesso iniciais e pastas de pacientes já tratados na Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, no Departamento de Ortodontia. A amostra selecionada foi composta de 57 pacientes e dividida inicialmente em dois grupos. O grupo 1, que não apresentava apinhamento ou apresentava um leve apinhamento de 0 a 3 mm, foi constituído de 23 pacientes sendo 11 do gênero masculino e 12 do gênero feminino com idade inicial média de 13,13 anos (idade mínima de 10,67 e máxima de 18,25). O grupo 2, que apresentava apinhamento igual ou maior a 4 mm, foi constituído de 34 pacientes sendo 19 do gênero masculino e 15 do gênero feminino com idade inicial média de 13,07 anos (idade mínima de 11,08 e máxima de 18,33). Para comparar os tempos de tratamento dos grupos, a análise estatística feita foi o teste t, pois os dados obtidos apresentavam uma distribuição normal. Os resultados mostraram que não há diferença estatisticamente significante entre os tempos de tratamento do grupo 1 (2,51 anos) e do grupo 2 (2,49 anos). Sendo assim, os resultados sustentam a ideia de que o principal fator responsável pela semelhança entre os tempos de tratamento é a necessidade da correção anteroposterior do molar, que é igual para ambos os grupos. / The objective of this study was to compare the treatment time of bilateral complete Class II malocclusion with and without crowding treated with four premolar extractions, The sample was selected from arquive of beginning models and pastes of pacients treated at Bauru Dental School, department of Orthodontics. The selected sample was composed by 57 patients and divided into two groups. Group 1 presented no crowding or crowding 0-3 mm was composed by 23 patients being 11 male and 12 female with a mean age of 13,13 years (minimum age 10,67 and maximum age 18,25). Group 2 presented crowding 4 mm or more was composed by 34 patients being 19 male and 15 female with a mean age of 13,07 years (minimum age of 11,08 and maximum age of 18,33). To compare treatment times between groups, t test was performed. Results demonstrated that there was not significantly difference in treatment times of group 1 (2,51 years) and 2 (2,49 years). Thus, the results support the idea the principal factor responsible for similarity treatment times is the need of the molar relationship correction, which is similar in both groups.

Visando uma maior compreensão acerca do funcionamento do sistema estomatognático de uma parcela numerosa da população que se encontra desdentada e submetida às atribuições da vida moderna, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da associação entre o distress cotidiano (fase de resistência e exaustão) e a ausência de dentes posteriores na atividade eletromiográfica (EMG) em repouso e máxima contração isométrica voluntária (MCIV) dos músculos masseter superficial, frontal e feixes ascendentes do trapézio em pacientes sem dor espontânea relacionada à disfunção craniomandibular (DCM). Foram selecionados quarenta pacientes em atendimento na Clínica de Odontologia da Faculdade São Lucas, localizada na cidade de Porto Velho. Os indivíduos foram divididos em dois grupos de vinte, compreendendo um grupo teste (com distress e com ausência de contatos posteriores) e um grupo controle (sem distress e com dentes posteriores). Para avaliação da presença ou não de distress emocional, foi aplicado o questionário Lipp, já validado. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente com o teste t-Student com p < 0,05, para se verificar a relação entre a atividade EMG e a condição oclusal e emocional envolvida. Os indivíduos com distress emocional e ausência de dentes posteriores, apresentaram menor atividade EMG em MCIV nos músculos masseteres direito e esquerdo, frontal direito e trapézio direito que os indivíduos sem distress emocional e com dentes posteriores. Não houve diferença na atividade EMG de repouso entre os grupos. / Aiming a better comprehension about masticatory system of a numerous portion of partially edentulous population and with all modern life attribution, the purpose of this study was to assess the association between daily distress (phases of resistance and exhaustion) and the lack of posterior teeth in electromyographic rest activity and maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MCIV) of masseter, frontalis and upper trapezius muscles, in subjects without spontaneous pain related to craniomandibular disorders (CMD). Forty subjects were selected from São Lucas dentistry clinic, from Porto Velho city. The subjects were divided in two groups: twenty in test group (with distress and lack of posterior teeth) and twenty in control group (without distress and with all teeth). To assess the presence of emotional distress, was applied the Lipp Questionnaire. The results were analyzed with t-Student test, with p < 0.005, to assess the relationship between EMG activity and the occlusal and emotional condition related. The subjects with emotional distress and lack of posterior teeth , showed a lower EMG activity in MCIV in right frontalis, right trapezius, right and left masseter muscles, when compared with the subjects without emotional distress and with posterior teeth. There was no difference in rest EMG activity between groups.

A extração de pré-molares em Ortodontia tem sido questionada por eventuais riscos a estética do perfil. Este estudo se propôs a avaliar se há influência de três formas de tratamento da Classe II divisão 1 na atratividade do perfil ao final do tratamento e em longo prazo. Medidas cefalométricas foram obtidas das radiografias cefalométricas através do programa Dolphin Imaging 11.5 e comparações foram realizadas entre os grupos nos dois tempos. Os grupos foram divididos em tratamentos sem extração (XP0), com extração de dois pré-molares superiores (XP2) ou extração de quatro pré-molares (XP4). Foram avaliados 68 indivíduos com Classe II divisão 1 completa, tratados ortodonticamente há quinze anos, em média, compatíveis quanto ao sexo, idade ao final do tratamento e em longo prazo, tempo pós-tratamento, qualidade de finalização oclusal do tratamento (índice Objective Grading System) e sobressaliência (final e em longo prazo). O grupo XP0 foi composto de 20 indivíduos, com média de 29,94 (± 7,35) anos de idade e 15,62 (± 7,22) anos pós-tratamento. O grupo XP2 foi composto de 27 indivíduos com 30,56 (±5,74) anos de idade e 15,09 (± 4,79) anos pós-tratamento. O grupo XP4 foi composto por 21 indivíduos com 32,29 (± 5,70) anos de idade e 17,20 (± 5,76) anos pós-tratamento. As telerradiografias em norma lateral tomadas ao final dos tratamentos e nas consultas de reavaliação clínica deram origem a duas silhuetas de perfil de cada indivíduo. Leigos (77) e ortodontistas (77) avaliaram as silhuetas segundo seus critérios pessoais através de um site na internet, atribuindo notas de 1 a 10 à atratividade de cada uma. Leigos foram mais críticos em relação aos ortodontistas. A Análise de Covariância revelou que a idade ou o sexo dos avaliadores não interferiram sobre suas opiniões. A Análise de Variância revelou que o padrão facial foi suavemente mais vertical no grupo XP4 em relação ao XP2. Análises de Variância a dois critérios revelaram que a atratividade do perfil no grupo XP2 foi significantemente maior em relação ao grupo XP4 ao final do tratamento e o grupo XP0 foi semelhante aos outros dois. Em longo prazo a atratividade do grupo XP2 foi significantemente maior em relação aos grupos XP0 e XP4. Não houve diferenças significantes entre as alterações cefalométricas no período póstratamento. / The assumption that extraction treatment can impair the facial profile has discouraged this treatment protocol in Class II malocclusion. This study aimed to assess whether there is influence of three different treatment protocols for Class II division 1 in the profile attractiveness by the end of treatment and in the long-term. Cephalometric measurements were obtained from the radiographs through the software Dolphin Imaging 11.5 and comparisons were made among the three groups for the two times. The groups were divided according to the treatment protocol: without extraction (XP0), with extraction of 2 maxillary premolars (XP2) or extraction of 4 premolars (XP4). Sixty-eight full Class II division 1 treated patients, matched by sex, end of treatment age, long-term posttreatment age, occlusal outcomes (index Objective Grading System) and overjet (final and in the long-term) were evaluated. The group XP0 consisted of 20 subjects, on average 29.94 (± 7.35) years old and 15.62 (± 7.22) years posttreatment. The group XP2 was composed of 27 individuals on average 30.56 (± 5.74) years old and 15.09 (± 4.79) years posttreatment. The XP4 group comprised 21 individuals on average 32.29 (± 5.70) years old and 17.20 (± 5.76) years post-treatment. The lateral radiographs taken by the end of treatments and in the long-term resulted in two profile black silhouettes of each patient. Through a website, laymen (77) and orthodontists (77) assigned scores from 1 to 10 to the each silhouettes attractiveness, according to their personal criteria. Laypeople were more critical than orthodontists. Analysis of covariance revealed that the age or sex of the evaluators did not interfere on their opinions. Analysis of variance revealed that the facial pattern was slightly more vertical in the group XP4 compared to XP2. Twoway Analysis of Variance revealed that the profile attractiveness in XP2 was significantly higher than in XP4 by the end of treatments and in XP0 were similar to both. In the long-term the attractiveness in XP2 group were significantly higher than both groups XP0 and XP4. There were no significantly differences between the cephalometric changes in the posttreatment period.

Introduction: Class II Division 1 malocclusions are characterized by a retrusive mandible and prominent upper incisors. Despite Class II malocclusions being one of the most frequently treated cases in orthodontists' office, there is no uniform consensus in the orthodontic community on the best treatment modality and biomechanical approach to use in treating patients with Class II malocclusions. Purpose: This paper examines the end-of-treatment outcomes of severe Class II Division I malocclusion patients treated with surgical versus non-surgical approaches. Study Design: This is a retrospective study of consecutively treated severe Class II Division I patients at the University of Iowa. Initial and deband lateral cephalometric radiographs were compared between 45 non-surgical and 21 surgical patients. All patients that were debanded between the ages of 13 to 19 years were included. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine differences in outcomes between treatment groups. Results: Following adjustment for patient level confounders (age, gender, and race), those treated surgically had better end of treatment cephalometric outcomes. Those treated surgically had a more balanced skeletal profile, greater reduction in overjet, and improvement in ANB angle (p Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment in conjunction with orthognathic surgery is a more ideal treatment for patients with severe Class II Division I malocclusion. When treated surgically, a greater amount of overjet can be reduced while keeping lower incisors in a more stable position in bone.

Magister Chirurgiae Dentium - MChD / Skeletal age assessment is not only an important aspect in orthodontic treatment planning, but is also widely used in forensic medicine and physi cal anthropology. Vari aus studi es have shown that chronological age may be at variance with an individual's biologic age. Current research would seem to indicate that the hand-wrist radiograph provides the most accurate method of assessing skeletal age for diagnostic purposes. In recent years the number of patients presenting with malocclusions of a skeletal nature at the University of the Western Cape has increased si gnifi cantly. If it i s accepted that treatment of jaw discrepancies associated with malocclusion is dependent on a large component of dentofacial orthopedics, then by implication it is necessary that a substanti al amount of faci al growth remai ns. The need has therefore arisen for the establishment of skeletal maturation trends in the Western Cape. Skeletal maturity was assessed from hand-wrist radiographs in a sample of 318 Western Cape chi 1dren aged 6 to 16 years for both sexes, utilising the bone specific Tanner-Whitehouse TW-2 scoring system. Data obtai ned from the present study showed a marked di fference in skel etal maturati on trends between femal es of the Western Cape to that of the British norm, while the males showed less divergence. Further, these findings show that in both sexes the epiphyseal bones matured in advance of the TW-standard. Carpal maturation, however, was delayed in the male when compared to the British standard, while that of the female conformed to that of the British standard.

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Van Beek activator in treating Class II malocclusions in the university student clinic, and to identify factors influencing treatment success. Additionally, a qualitative assessment was conducted to evaluate the quality of the recorded orthodontic journals by the students of the clinic and to rate the degree of adherence to the policy-clinic template. Material and method Data from 229 patients who had their treatment finished within the years 2012-2022 at the university clinic, including in-house and referred patients, were collected and analysed using SPSS. Results The orthodontic journals maintained a high quality, while following annotations for check-ups and end of treatment varied in quality. The success rate of Van Beek treatments was approximately 69%, which is comparable to previous studies done at the university clinic. The degree of patient cooperation was found to be significantly associated with treatment outcome, with patients who showed excellent cooperation achieving the pre-set treatment aims more frequently. Referred patients showed a higher degree of cooperation and better treatment outcomes compared to in-house patients, possibly due to a higher treatment need and more serious response to the treatment. Conclusion The Van Beek activator was found to be effective in reducing overjet, as previously reported in functional appliance studies. Overall, the study highlights the importance of patient motivation and cooperation in achieving successful orthodontic treatment outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the Van Beek activator and to confirm the findings of this study. / Syfte Syftet med studien var att utvärdera effektiviteten av van Beek-aktivatorn vid behandling av postnormalt bett på Malmö universitets studentklinik, och att identifiera faktorer som påverkar lyckandet av behandling. Utöver det utfördes även en kvalitetsgranskning av de utförda behandlingarna för att utvärdera kvalitén på studenternas ortodontijournalanteckningar och följsamheten till journalmallen vid start av behandling. Material och metod Data från totalt 229 patienter, både remitterade och interna, som avslutade sina behandlingar på studentkliniken mellan år 2012–2022, samlades in och analyserades med hjälp av SPSS. Resultat Ortodontijournalanteckningarna höll en hög kvalitet, medan anteckningar för kontroller och avslutande av behandlingar varierade i kvalitet. Lyckandefrekvensen för van Beek-behandlingar var ca 69%, vilket är jämförbart med tidigare utförda studier på studentkliniker. Graden av kooperation visade sig vara signifikant associerad med behandlingsresultat, där patienter med utmärkt kooperation uppnådde behandlingsmålen i högre grad än övriga patienter. Remitterade patienter koopererade bättre än interna patienter och uppnådde i större utsträckning lyckade behandlingsresultat, möjligtvis på grund av ett större behandlingsbehov och en mer seriös respons på behandling. Slutsats Van Beek-aktivatorn var effektiv vid minskning av HÖB, som tidigare rapporterats i studier på avtagbara tandställningar. Studien belyser vikten av patienters motivation och kooperation för att uppnå lyckade behandlingsresultat. Ytterligare studier behöver utföras för att utvärdera den långsiktiga effektiviteten av Van Beek-aktivatorn, samt att bekräfta fynden i studien.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Indices to assess malocclusion have been developed to serve a multitude of functions, from rating 'severity of malocclusion', to prioritizing orthodontic treatment for patients. These indices have been established and used, but many with significant inadequacies in their methods. Very few indices quantitatively look at characteristics of a patient to objectively assess treatment difficulty. No current published index uses all of the pretreatment diagnostic records in its assessment. A complete index of malocclusion with the objective analysis of all pretreatment records is needed to accurately quantify treatment need. Recently, an index of malocclusion was developed and validated at IUSD that evaluates a complete set of diagnostic records. Initially this index was found to be a valid measure of patients of non-Hispanic white descent in the permanent dentition. Later it was validated to patients of both mixed and permanent dentitions of various racial profiles. In the present study, pretreatment records (dental casts, intra-oral photographs, extra-oral photographs, panoramic radiograph, and a cephalogram) of 100 patients (48 mixed dentition, 52 permanent dentition) from the Indiana University Graduate Orthodontic Department were evaluated. The patients were selected from a group of completed cases that had been previously scored with the discrepancy index (DI). This data was used to select a group of patients that, as closely as possible, represented a comprehensive range of severity. Thirty-six measurements were scored and combined into a total score representing the new index for the permanent dentition. Thirty-three characteristics were totaled in a similar fashion for patients in the mixed dentition. The scores of the new index were compared to the average examiner scores of four experienced orthodontists. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations of the new index to the average examiner scores, as well as to the DI scores. It is the conclusion of this study that the new IUSD index is a valid measure of severity of malocclusion that correlates well with DI and reflects the rankings of experienced orthodontists.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Tooth mass discrepancies have been studied extensively in Caucasian populations, but little has been done to compare differences between Caucasian and African-American populations. The objective of this study was to determine whether the incidence of tooth mass discrepancies between the maxillary and mandibular arches was greater in African-American populations than Caucasian populations. Pretreatment plaster orthodontic models of 100 African-American and 100 Caucasian patients from the Indiana University Orthodontic Clinic and from one private practitioner were measured with a Mitutoyo Digimatic® caliper accurate to 0.01 mm. Mesiodistal widths of all teeth from first molar to first molar were measured with the mesio-buccal and disto-buccal contact areas normally being the widest area. The investigator was blinded to the gender and ethnicity of the subject by assigning each model a random number which was matched to the patient profile only following statistical analysis. Anterior ratios and total (posterior+ anterior) ratios were calculated according to the methods described by Bolton and were compared to the Bolton means and standard deviations. Incidence of tooth mass discrepancy was also investigated according to gender and dental malocclusion classification of the individuals. Tooth mass discrepancies present a hurdle to the clinician in achieving an ideal occlusion. Reports of the incidence of significant discrepancies in defined populations alerts the practitioner to problems in finishing their patients' occlusions. Results of the study show nearly double the incidence of overall Bolton tooth mass discrepancy in the African-American sample than in the Caucasian. The overall tooth mass discrepancy was more severe in the African-American sample, while anterior tooth mass discrepancies were nearly identical in both populations.