[Shape of dental arches and their dimensions in children without malocclusion aged 3 years].

The dental arches were analysed in 3-year-old children without malocclusion evaluating the shape of arches, measuring their with, length and depth. The index of the dental arch and the palatal index were calculated. In children aged 3 years the shape of the upper dental arch was in most cases similar to a semi-ellipse and that of the lower arch approached parabole. This suggests that the semicircular shape of dental arches is not characteristic of this period of occlusion development.