Abstract
The influence of growth and development on occlusion is important for establishment of stomatognathic function. There are, however, few studies on the changes induced by growth and development in occlusion. We have already developed the add-picture system for evaluation of occlusal contact area and location. This paper reports a cross sectional study and describes changes in occlusal contact and a stability of occlusion with growth and development using the add-picture system.
We selected 25 healthy infants and classified them into 4 group according to the stage of development of occlusion: children who attained deciduous occlusion, children who attained first molar eruption, children who lateral segment teeth changing and children who attained second molar eruption. We recorded a silicone occlusal registration at intercuspal position and input it to the add-picture system to analyze occlusal contact areas and locations. We analyzed the ratio in occlusal contact area between both sides as an asymmetry index of occlusal area (AIOA), and occlusal contact location in dentition as a stability index of occlusion (SI) .
Occlusal contact area and its location in the dentition changed corresponding to the developmental stages noticeable to the naked eye. AIOA was stable for developmental stages. SI in the attained deciduous occlusion, the attained first molar eruption and the attained second molar eruption groups showed low values and took on a stable aspect. However, SI was significantly unstable in the lateral segment teeth changing groups.
In conclusion, occlusal balances in the intercuspal position were stable for stages in growth and development without the stage in lateral segment teeth changing.
