Evaluation of conformity of preformed orthodontic archwires and dental arch form

Introduction: The alterations in the arch form during treatment are dictated by the dimensions of the archwires. Objective: This study aimed to determine the mean arch dimensions of a sample of Pakistani subjects and to evaluate the conformity of preformed archwires with mandibular arch form. Methods: The dental records of 1,500 adult subjects were evaluated. The mandibular casts of 42 subjects (males = females = 21) with balanced facial profile, Class I occlusion, ideal overjet and overbite were included. Brackets were bonded on all teeth. Arch dimensions were evaluated at canines, first premolars, second premolars, first and second molars, with digital vernier calipers. The arch widths at the level of aforementioned teeth were evaluated on the digitized archwires, using the mean arch depths of the subjects. Results: In males, the archwires were found to be wider at canines and premolars, and significantly narrower at first (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 2.03-5.74) and second molars (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 2.29-7.73) as compared to the arch dimensions of the mandibular casts. In females, the archwires were significantly narrower at canines (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.4-3.97), and first (p = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.402-4.41) and second molars (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.76-6.13).Conclusion: No single commercially available archwires evaluated in the present study conformed to the arch dimensions of our subjects. Utilization of the currently available archwires may result in unwarranted modification of arch form, which may lead to unstable post-treatment teeth position.