title: Evaluation of arch forms depending on the angle classification.
abstract: It is generally accepted that each individual has his or her own dental arch form. However, during orthodontic treatment, industrially preshaped archwires are widely used. The resulting use of the same arch form for all malocclusions may compromise occlusal stability after orthodontic treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the average dental arch form of a non-consulting Moroccan population depending on the Angle classification, after digitization of plaster models of the dental arches.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 50 dental students aged between 21 and 27 was selected. After digitization of the plaster models to produce a cloud of points, the barycentric method was applied to this representation, enabling all the arch shapes of each series to be superimposed with Photoshop CS 5 software (layer mode) and the average curves for each Angle class to be thereby determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average maxillary and mandibular arch forms were defined for each class: Class I: a normal maxillary form and an ovoid mandibular form; Class II: a tapered maxillary form and a narrow tapered mandibular form; Class III: narrow tapered forms for both upper and lower arches. Globally speaking, in this sample an ovoid mandibular arch form and a normal maxillary arch form are the dominant shapes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The studied population exhibited specific arch form features. This study could serve as the basis for the choice and use of preformed archwires better-adapted to the needs of our patients.
authors.affiliation: Département d'orthopédie dento-faciale, faculté de médecine dentaire, université Hassan II de Casablanca, rue Abou Alaa Zahar, 20200 Casablanca, Morocco. Electronic address: faridbourzgui@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bourzgui
authors.affiliation: Département d'orthopédie dento-faciale, faculté de médecine dentaire, université Hassan II de Casablanca, rue Abou Alaa Zahar, 20200 Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Asmaa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khribchi
authors.affiliation: Département d'orthopédie dento-faciale, faculté de médecine dentaire, université Hassan II de Casablanca, rue Abou Alaa Zahar, 20200 Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Zineb
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rachdy
authors.affiliation: Département santé communautaire, laboratoire d'informatique médicale, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, université Hassan II de Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Housbane
authors.affiliation: Département santé communautaire, laboratoire d'informatique médicale, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, université Hassan II de Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohamed Bennani
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Othmani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003765:Models, Dental; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Angle classes; Dental archforms; Morocco; Orthodontics