The rotation of maxillary first molars, mandibular first molars, and maxillary first premolars in acceptable occlusions.

The rotation of the maxillary molars is considered important in the orthodontic treatment of malocclusions. In this study, a computer analysis program was developed to examine the rotations of maxillary molars, mandibular molars, and maxillary first premolars in casts of permanent dentitions with acceptable occlusions. Ninety-three sets of untreated 'acceptable occlusion' models from the collection of the Foundation for Orthodontic Research (FOR) were scanned on a flat bed scanner. The images were analysed using custom software. Measurements were made by relating maxillary first permanent molars to the midline, archform, opposite canine, and mandibular first permanent molars. The mandibular first molars and maxillary first premolars were also analysed and their rotations measured. The mean rotations of the maxillary first molars, measured as the angle between a line joining the tips of the buccal cusps and a line tangent to the appropriate archwire form (from Ricketts' Pentamorphic Arches) at the first molars, were 0.59 and -0.72 degree (positive values represent mesio-lingual rotations) for the right and left, respectively. For the mandibular molars, these means were 6.34 and 8.40 degrees, respectively. The mean differences in rotation between buccal cusp tips of maxillary and mandibular first molars in occlusion were 5.75 and 9.12 degrees for the right and left, respectively, with the mandibular being more mesio-lingually rotated. The differences between left and right were significant for all measurements. The present study brings into question the suitability of our present "straight wire" prescriptions in producing similar occlusions. It also suggests that scanning models for computer analysis may be a practical and precise way to measure similar rotations in untreated normal and treated occlusions.