Maturation of untreated normal occlusions.

The dental casts of 65 untreated normal occlusions were evaluated to determine the nature and extent of the developmental maturation process of the normal dentition. Six dental parameters were examined in the mixed dentition (9 to 10 years), early permanent dentition (12 to 13 years), and early adulthood (19 to 20 years). Results showed decreases in arch length and intercanine width; minimal overall changes in intermolar width, overjet, and overbite; and increases in incisor irregularity. Females showed more severe changes than males. The individual changes found were not correlated to changes in any of the other parameters measured. No associations or predictors of clinical value were found. The changes found in a sample of untreated normals were similar in nature but lesser in extent than postretention changes found in a sample of treated cases.