AN EVALUATION OF CORRELATION BETWEEN THE GONIAL ANGLE AND FREEWAY SPACE IN DENTATE INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to establish a correlation between gonial angle and freeway space using lateral profile photographs in dentulous individuals. The study includes a total of 150 participants within the age range of 20 – 30 years, of which one twenty-five were females and twenty-five were males. No restrictions were imposed with regard to the presence of malocclusion. The participants were informed about the study through participant information sheet and signed consent was obtained. The  study showed a mild negative correlation between Freeway space and gonial angle, indicating that when gonial angle increases freeway space decreases in both class I and  class II participants. The study also showed that the freeway space was found to be more in Angle’s class II dentate participantsThe study concludes that there was a statistically significant difference between freeway space between Angle’s Class I and Class II malocclusion. The freeway space in individuals with Angle’s class II malocclusion was greater as compared to that with Angle’s class I malocclusion. The gonial angle was observed to be more acute in participants with Angle’s class II malocclusion as compared to that in participants with Angle’s class 1 malocclusion. Lateral profile photographs can be used as a tool to predict freeway space in patients with Angle’s class I malocclusion.