Abstract
The purpuse of the present study was to analyze the dentition and occlusion of children in prone the sleeping position in three dimensions.
40 study casts were examined: 20 children in the prone sleeping position in infanthood(PP) and 20 children in tbe supine sleeping position in infanthood(S).
The resulting measurements were normalized and used to make three-dimensional computer-generated wire frame models of their dentition and occlusion. The data were also compared with Japanese children with normal occlusion. The findings were summarized as follows:
1) Concerning the average distance between the mesiolingual cusps of the maxillary second decidous teeth, the PP in males was 33.41 mm, the PP in females was 32.56 mm, the S in males was 36.32mm, and the S in females was 34.32 mm.
2) Concerning the average distance between the mesiolingual cusps of the mandibular second decidous teeth, the PP in males was 28.85 mm, the PP in females was 27.96 mm, the S in males was 31.37 mm, and the S in females was 29.74 mm.
3) Compared with the S, PP dentition was characterized by a smaller arch width, larger arch length in maxilla, and larger overjet.
4) The PP dentition had a normal tendency in the incisal edge-cusp curve and in dental hight.
5) The Dental arch form of the PP dentition was symmetrical and had a V-shaped form.
