A study to evaluate the influence of non-axial forces on tooth - a split mouth cross-sectional study

Purpose: Proper tooth alignment directs occlusal forces along the long axis, supporting optimal masticatory function and periodontal health. Deviations that lead to non-axial forces are common; however, teeth with such deviations often maintain optimal health. This study aims to assess various occlusal and periodontal parameters in teeth experiencing non-axial forces to better understand the underlying reasons and mechanisms that contribute to their maintained health status.

Materials and methods: Fifty subjects, each with one normally aligned posterior tooth (Group A) and a malaligned contralateral tooth (Group B), were recruited for this study. Clinical assessments were conducted to measure relative occlusal load, gingival status, and alveolar bone levels in both groups. Statistical analyses were performed to compare findings between normally aligned and malaligned teeth.

Results: Seventy two percent of malaligned teeth (9.33 ± 6.38%) exhibited reduced relative occlusal force compared to normally aligned teeth (12.05 ± 8.39%). No significant differences in gingival status or alveolar bone levels were observed between the two groups.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that malaligned teeth can adapt to non-axial occlusal forces while preserving their structural integrity, which could imply the presence of adaptive mechanisms within the stomatognathic system. Further research is needed to differentiate the types and directions of occlusal forces and to explore the broader clinical implications of these findings across diverse populations.