Longitudinal changes in mandibular arch posterior space in adolescents with normal occlusion

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of available mandibular space in the posterior dental arch of teenagers from 13 to 18 years old. Methods: Longitudinal cephalograms of 28 adolescents (13 boys, 15 girls) with normal occlusion, selected from among 901 candidates, were taken annually from 13 to 18 years of age inclusively. Modified analyses with occlusal plane and occlusal plane perpendicular as reference planes were used to evaluate the changes of available space of the posterior mandibular arch. Results: From 13 to 18 years of age, significant differences of mandibular posterior space were found among ages and sexes. The total increases of available space were 5.12 mm in the girls and 5.79 mm in the boys. For girls before age 16 and boys before age 17, the increased available space was contributed mainly by resorption of bone on the anterior border of the ramus. Mesial drift of the dental arch did not occur until the eruption of the third molars. The average available spaces increased 1.22 mm in girls less than age 16 and 1.45 mm in boys less than age 17 per side per year. Conclusions: The prediction of available space in the posterior mandibular arch should be based on age and sex.