This study aimed to determine whether the lateral cephalometric crown-root shape differs among the permanent maxillary central incisor in Class I, Class II division 1, Class II division 2 and Class III malocclusions and to identify the nature of any differences. Of the 499 lateral cephalograms recorded at a university orthodontic clinic during 2001, 361 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Sixty cephalograms were selected from the four malocclusion groups and were digitized in random order. The configurations of the 10 landmarks characterizing the crown-root shape of the permanent maxillary central incisor were then optimally superimposed using Procrustes algorithms. Discriminant analysis of the principal components of shape determined the incisor shape differences between the malocclusion groups. The crown-root shape of the permanent maxillary central incisor did not differ significantly among the Class I, Class II division 1, and Class III groups (P > .05); however, the crown-root shape of the Class II division 2 permanent maxillary central incisor was significantly different (P < .001) from that of the Class 1, Class II division 1 and Class III. The shape discrimination involved axial bending of the Class II division 2 incisors. Principal components 1, 2, and 3 accounted for 63% of the Class II division 2 incisor shape variance, encompassing a shorter root, a longer crown, and axial bending of the incisor, in addition to a reduced labiopalatal thickness. These shape features could precipitate the development of a deep overbite in Class II division 2 malocclusion and may limit the amount of palatal root torque during fixed appliance therapy.
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