The Effect of Orthodontic Treatment on Centric Discrepancy

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of orthodontic treatment on centric discrepancy. Thirty-six orthodontic patients who had been treated with an edgewise appliance were selected for this study while 30 persons who had no history of orthodontic treatment were used as a control group. After recording centric relation using a leaf gauge, centric prematurity, and centric slide were compared using a SAM2 articulator and mandibular position indicator. Results indicated that the number of subjects with one prematurity was significantly greater in the control group (86.7%); however, the number of subjects with two or more prematurities was greater in the orthodontic treatment group (41.6%). The orthodontic treatment group showed more bilateral prematurities. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to the teeth involved in centric prematurities. Just considering the anatomic portion of teeth, centric prematurities were significantly associated with the buccal incline of the maxillary palatal cusp. There were no significant differences in the amount or direction of centric slide between the orthodontic and control groups. This study indicates that orthodontic treatment does not generally result in an increase in centric discrepancy.

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Notes on contributors

Hyeon-Shik Hwang

Dr. Hyeon-Shik Hwang received his D.D.S. degree in 1983 from the Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea and completed training in orthodontics in 1989. He received his Ph.D. degree in 1992 from the same university. He is an Assistant Professor and Chairman in the Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Kwangju, Korea where he has taught since 1990. Currently, Dr. Hwang works as a visiting postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Orthodontics, The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis, Tennessee.

Rolf G. Behrents

Dr. Rolf G. Behrents received his D.D.S. degree from Meharry Medical College and orthodontic training and Master of Science degree at Case Western Reserve University. He received a PhD. degree from the University of Michigan for work conducted at the Center for Human Growth and Development. Dr. Behrents is Professor and Chairman of the Department Orthodontics at the University of Tennessee. He is also a Research Associate at the Bolton-Brush Growth Study Center of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.