Abstract
BACKGROUND: To compare Overall and Anterior Bolton ratio in different malocclusion groups in Indian population with Bolton standards. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sample comprised of 300 pre-treatment casts taken from the Department of Dentistry, Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun which included Angle's Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusion. Anterior and Overall Bolton's ratio was measured in different malocclusion groups, and the results were compared with the standard Bolton values. Ratios were also calculated on gender basis and were compared with standard values. RESULTS: The mean overall Bolton's ratio was non-significant in the three groups. The mean anterior Bolton's ratio in the Class I malocclusion group and Class III malocclusion group when compared with the standard Bolton's ratio was found to be increased but the difference was found to be non-significant. In the Class II malocclusion group, a significant increase was found in the mean anterior Bolton's ratio as compared to the standard Bolton's ratio. On comparison of the mean overall Bolton's ratio among males in the Class II malocclusion group with the standard Bolton's ratio, the difference was found to be statistically significant while it was non-significant for Class I and Class III patients. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study confirm the reliability of Bolton's ratio in the Indian population. There were statistical non-significant differences among various groups for Overall ratio and for Anterior ratio except in Class II male patients, which was found to be significant.