Role of Molar in Anterior Proclination of Teeth – A Retrospective Study

Objectives: 1) To establish if a correlation exists between the position of the molar and anterior proclination of central incisors in Indian population. 2) To broaden our treatment options for gaining space to correct malocclusion. 3) Emphasise the importance of stable posterior occlusion. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 400 lateral cephalograms of patients reported to CMCH, Vellore for diagnosis and treatment of malocclusion. The interincisal angle and the molar position in maxillae were measured using Kodak software and values were tabulated on Excel worksheets. All statistical analysis were done using Statistical Software STATA version 13.1. Results: Regression coefficient indicates that 0.4% decrease in the interincisal angle (increase in proclination) for every unit increase in the molar position which is statistically significant at 5% level of significance. The interincisal angle will be 3% higher for male than female which is statistically not significant. Conclusion: 1) Molar position in maxillae is affected by various factors and its position has an effect on anterior proclination with 0.4% decrease in interincisal angle for every unit increase in molar position which is statistically significant. 2) Anterior occlusion is dependent on posterior occlusion, hence a stable posterior occlusion is a requisite for stability of occlusion. 3) Since the anterior occlusion varies with posterior occlusion other modalities of treatment like distalization of molars and TAD's to decrease anchor loss can be an alternative/ addition to extraction protocol respectively.