The effect of mandibular rotation on molar position.

The findings of this experiment revealed important associations among dental and skeletal parameters in differing degrees of mandibular rotation. The structural elements of the craniofacial complex vary in size, morphologic pattern and their spatial relationship dictate the relationship of the dental arches. The results of these comparisons support the assumption that variations in the mandibular plane angle are also accompanied by a significant difference in the craniofacial relations. 1. The degree of mandibular rotation is not significantly associated with the dental classification in any group or the total sample. 2. Significant correlations were determined for the dental classification and the horizontal skeletal measurements of ANB, Wits, and Harvold at the 0.05 confidence level. Therefore, the skeletal pattern accurately reflects the underlying dental relationship. 3. Ratios differed in the various categories when compared to the total population with increased correlations noted for some groups. The average FMA group showed the least variability of all the categories since the range was the smallest (25-30 degrees). 4. Although skeletal parameters are often highly correlated, their association may prove to be contradictory in patients with severe skeletal disharmonies.