title: Overlap of the primary dentition in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to estimate the amount of overlap in children with the primary dentition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 20 Japanese boys between 3 and 5 years of age (mean age: 4 years 10 months). Landmarks on their maxillary and mandibular dental models were digitized using a three-dimensional mechanical digitizer in a single coordinate system. Multilevel statistical models created best-fit polynomial curves to determine overbite, overjet and buccal height of all primary teeth and describe the dental arch forms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant side differences were detected. The primary canine showed the largest overbite (1.87 mm) and buccal height (9.07 mm). The primary second molar exhibited the largest overjet (2.76 mm). Buccal height was the least variable measurement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occlusal relationships of the primary dentition were evaluated in 3-dimensions, establishing overlap variables for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan. isseionj@denta.hal.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Issei
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saitoh
authors.forename: Haruaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hayasaki
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Inada
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000473:pathology*; D003765:Models, Dental; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous