Factors influencing dental arch form.

Dental arch length, bilateral intermolar distance, morphology of the anterior teeth, and bilateral intercanine distance have been reported as factors influencing the determination of dental arch form. However, studies evaluating the factors that influence the determination of the above-mentioned components are limited. Therefore, to verify these points, the present study aimed to examine factors influencing the determination of dental arch form using statistical methods.Data obtained from sample dental casts were analyzed using principal component and cluster analyses. By principal component analysis, 23 sets of information were summarized into three components for the maxilla and four for the mandible. As a result of cluster analysis using principal component scores, the maxillary and mandibular dental arches were classified into four forms, respectively.Dental arch length is an important indicator of dental arch size and is influenced by the bilateral interincisor distance of the maxilla and mandible, and the mesiodistal crown width of the incisors and premolars. In the mandible, canine width also affects dental arch length. Dental arch width also influences the determination of dental arch form. However, the distance between the anterior teeth and the distance between the molars are independent and have no effect on each other.