Prediction of the Dental Arch Perimeter in a Kurdish Sample in Sulaimani City Based on Other Linear Dental Arch Measurements as a Malocclusion Preventive Measure

The current study aimed to find a prediction equation to estimate the arch perimeter (AP) depending on various arch dimensions including intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), interpremolar width (IPMW), and arch length (AL) in a sample of the Kurdish population in Sulaimani City. The study sample was 100 pairs of preorthodontic dental casts. Calculations of dental arch dimensions and perimeter were performed by a digital vernier. Statistical analysis was performed via using the SPSS version 25 software. The developed prediction equation for the upper arch was Y = +1.3 × (arch length) + 1 × (intermolar width), whereas the equation for the lower arch was Y = +0.9 × (intermolar width) + 0.92 × (intercanine width). Paired t-test revealed no statistical difference between predicted and real arch perimeters. Two separate prediction equations for upper and lower arches were developed based on the arch length (AL) and intermolar width (IMW) for the maxillary arch, intermolar (IMW), and inter canine widths (ICW) for the lower arch. The developed equations could have further beneficial impacts on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.