Aim: As the effects of infraocclusion on mandibular growth could have a significant impact on the treatment planning made by the orthodontist, the aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between infraocclusion and mandibular growth.
Materials and methods: Study design: A total of 42 healthy Caucasian patients with no history of dental trauma or orthodontic treatment were selected for this study from the same paediatric dentistry department. These patients were divided in two groups based on the presence or absence of infraocclusion: Group A, 22 patients (12 males and 10 females) suffering from infraocclusion of at least one inferior deciduous molar, and Group B, 20 patients (9 males and 11 females) who did not suffer from infraocclusion but had to be treated for dental overcrowding. Each patient was examined through an orthopantomography scan and lateral cephalogram. All measurements were made before the start of the treatment, and they were analysed in order to show cephalometric correlation between the skeletal class, the vertical dimension and cranio-maxillo-mandibular divergence.
Results: According to Student's t-test, the only measurements which had a statistically significant difference between Group A and Group B were the SNB angle (p-value <0.01), the ANB angle (p-value <0.05) and the PC-GO-GN angle (p-value <0.05).
Conclusion: From the data collected in this study, it is possible to conclude that patients suffering from infraocclusion of the mandibular deciduous molars show mandibular post-rotation and an increased total Gonial angle, compared to patients who do not suffer from infraocclusion. Despite the absence of a longer-term evaluation of these patients, thanks to this data it is possible to state that early diagnosis of infraocclusion is fundamental in order to apply a well-planned and thought-out orthodontic treatment.