Correlation Between Craniofacial form, Arch form & Malocclusion

There exists a correlation between the arch form and Craniofacial form as well as body height Lavelle (1954). By various research work it is now evident that a particular type of malocclusion always tends to have a specific type of arch form along with a tendency to reflect on the type of head and facial form part. The dental arch is an important element in orthodontics, is a fundamental principle in planning and orthodontic therapy. A dental arch form is initially established by the configuration of the bony ridge and then by tooth eruption, perioral muscles, and intraoral functional forces. Even though most patients with malocclusion have an altered form of the dental arch, the alterations achieved with mechanics during orthodontic treatment should not affect the balance between bone and dental and muscular structures; the arrangement of these structures adjacent to teeth and jaws should be considered the limit of Orthodontics movement.The common consensus though seems to be that individualization and coordination of arch forms for each patient is a must to obtain optimum long term stability.