title: Determining shapes and dimensions of dental arches for the use of straight-wire arches in lingual technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to determine the shape and dimension of dental arches from a lingual perspective, and determine shape and size of a straight archwire used for lingual Orthodontics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 70 Caucasian Brazilian individuals with normal occlusion and at least four of Andrew's six keys. Maxillary and mandibular dental casts were digitized (3D) and the images were analyzed by Delcam Power SHAPET 2010 software. Landmarks on the lingual surface of teeth were selected and 14 measurements were calculated to determine the shape and size of dental arches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Shapiro-Wilk test determined small arch shape by means of 25th percentile (P25%)--an average percentile for the medium arch; and a large one determined by means of 75th percentile (P75%). T-test revealed differences between males and females in the size of 12 dental arches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The straight-wire arch shape used in the lingual straight wire technique is a parabolic-shaped arch, slightly flattened on its anterior portion. Due to similarity among dental arch sizes shown by males and females, a more simplified diagram chart was designed.
authors.affiliation: Methodist University of São Paulo.
authors.forename: Silvana Allegrini
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kairalla
authors.affiliation: University of Ferrara.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scuzzo
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo.
authors.forename: Tarcila
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Triviño
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, São Leopoldo Mandic.
authors.forename: Leandro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.affiliation: UNIFE.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Sergipe.
authors.forename: Luiz Renato
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Paranhos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003765:Models, Dental; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009969:Orthodontic Wires; D012737:Sex Factors; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation