Assessment of Maxillary First Molar Rotation in Skeletal Class Ii, and Their Comparison with Class I and Class Iii Subjects

Mesial rotation of maxillary first molar around palatal root is a most commen cause of class II molar relationship in class II subjects. Assessment of molar rotation is important because it utilizes 2-3mm of space in anteroposterior plane. There are different methods for assessment of its rotation which is very important in diagnosis and treatment planning of class II malocclusion. Cephalometric radiographs and dental casts of 100 orthodontic patients (72 females and 28 males) with a mean age of 18.7 years (12-38 years) in the permanent dentition attending the orthodontic department of the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan were randomly selected. The maxillary casts were photocopied 1/1 with maximum contrast. Maxillary first molar rotation was assesed on the photocopies of the upper dental casts. Skeletal class was assessed in Sagital plane through manual tracing of cephalometric radiographs by a single examiner. Molar rotation was more on the right side as compared to the left side. In skeletal class I and II, maxillary first molar rotation was more on the right side as compared to the left side and in skeletal class III , molar rotation was more on the left side.