The Craniofacial Morphology in Skeletal Class I Patients with Severe Maxillary Anterior Crowding

“Craniofacial Features In Cases of Severe Maxillary Crowding”

Abstract

Background and Objective:Patients with severe maxillary anterior crowding usually present with ectopic eruption of canines and palatally displaced lateral incisors.The objective of this study is to find craniofacial morphology in patients with a skeletal Class I base exhibiting severe maxillary anterior crowding (MxAC). These morphological characteristics may serve as useful indicators for diagnosis and treatment planning, particularly in cases requiring extractions. Methodology: 35 individuals with normal occlusion (mean age: 20.7 ± 2.3 years) were included as the control group, and 35 patients with severe MxAC (mean age: 20.3 ± 3.8 years). Arch length discrepancy (ALD) was measured on dental casts. Six skeletal cephalometric parameters were recorded. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, medians, and interquartile ranges, were calculated for each variable. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups, with a P < 0.05 criterion for statistical significance Results: Patients in the MxAC group showed a substantially larger saddle angle (P < 0.05), shorter anterior and posterior cranial base lengths (P < 0.01), and a shorter maxillary base length (P < 0.01) when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Patients with severe MxAC and skeletal Class I relationships showed unique craniofacial characteristics, such as a shorter sagittal maxillary base, a broader cranial base angle, and shorter cranial base lengths. Keywords: skeletal Class I, sagittal maxillary base, cranial base length, saddle angle, maxillary anterior crowding.