Evaluation of occlusal contacts among different groups of malocclusion using 3D digital models.

Objectives: (1) To evaluate the applicability of using 3D digital models in the assessment of the magnitude of occlusal contacts by measuring occlusal contact surface areas (OCSAs) and 3D mesh points in 'contact' (OCMPs) in a sample of orthodontic patients; (2) To detect any sex differences in the magnitude of occlusal contacts in all malocclusion groups; (3) To detect inter- group differences; (4) To assess possible correlations between occlusal contacts and other dental characteristics.
Materials and Methods: Study casts of 120 malocclusion patients were selected and divided into 4 groups (class I division 1, class II division 1, class II division 2, class III) with equal numbers for both sexes. 3D digital models were produced using O3DM™ technology. Occlusal contacts were quantified using two methods of measuring.
Results: (1) No significant sexual differences were detected for OCMPs (mesh points) and OCSAs (mm(2)) in all groups. (2) There were statistically significant differences among malocclusion groups for OCMPs and OCSAs (p < 0.001). Tukey's HSD post- hoc tests showed that class III patients had significantly less occlusal contacts than other malocclusion groups. (3) Stepwise multiple regression equations showed that overjet, lower arch width and overbite could explain approximately 19.5% of the total variance of OCSAs and OCMPs.
Conclusion: Sexual differences in occlusal contacts were not detected. Class I division 1 patients had the highest amount of occlusal contacts among all groups of malocclusion. Overjet, overbite and lower dental arch width were best predictors of occlusal contacts in the current sample.