Characteristics of dental compensation according to chin deviation

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the dental compensation in chin-deviated individuals. Methods: Thirty adult patients who had not a severe sagittal discrepancy but apparent chin-deviation were selected as the chin-deviated group and 30 adults with symmetric face were selected as the control group. Canine and molar heights which present the occlusal plane canting were measured in frontal cephalogram, and maxillary and mandibular widths, lateral overjet, maxillary and mandibular molar inclinations were measured in dental cast. The right and the left differences of all measurements were compared in each group and between the two groups. Correlation analysis was performed between menton deviation and the shifted and the contralateral side differences of each measurement. Results: The chin-deviated group showed significant differences between the shifted and the contralateral sides in all measurements used in this study. When the right and the left differences were compared between chin-deviated group and control group, most of measurements showed greater value in chin-deviated group while no differences in the measurements of upper and lower canine heights and maxillary canine width. In particular, the measurements of mandibular molar width and maxillary and mandibular molar inclinations showed distinct differences. The degree of occlusal plane canting, lateral overjet, and maxillary and mandibular molar inclinations showed high correlation with the degree of menton deviation. Conclusions: The above results suggest that a degree of dental compensation should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment planning for chin-deviated individuals.