Original Research

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 1 | Page : 27-38

Prevalence of Moyer’s Class II malocclusion subtypes in Dravidian Population: A Cephalometric Study

Rishika Singla 1, Ravindra Kumar Jain 2, Swati Singh 3

1-Resident, 2-Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai- 600077, India, 3-Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, KIIT university, Campus-5 Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India – 751024

Address for Correspondence:

Dr Ravindra Kumar Jain

Professor and Head,

Department of Orthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals,

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences,

Chennai, India.

E-mail: ravindrakumar@saveetha.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Class II malocclusion exhibits considerable skeletal and dental heterogeneity that is often inadequately described by Angle’s dental classification. Moyers’ cephalometric subclassification, based on horizontal and vertical skeletal–dental relationships, provides a more biologically meaningful framework for understanding Class II patterns. Population-specific evaluation of these subtypes is essential, as craniofacial morphology varies across ethnic groups.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and distribution of Moyers’ horizontal and vertical Class II malocclusion subtypes in a Dravidian population and to evaluate their association with age and gender using cephalometric analysis.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 455 pretreatment lateral cephalograms of Dravidian subjects diagnosed with Class II malocclusion. Cephalometric assessment was performed digitally using FACAD software with Steiner’s, McNamara’s, Wits, and Rakosi analyses. Each case was classified into Moyers’ horizontal (A–F) and vertical (1–5) subtypes by calibrated examiners. Frequency distribution was calculated, and Chi-square tests were used to assess associations of subtypes with age and gender.

Results: Horizontal Subtype F was the most prevalent pattern, while Vertical Subtype 2 predominated among vertical patterns. A statistically significant association was observed between age and horizontal subtypes (p = 0.02), and between gender and horizontal subtypes (p = 0.04). No significant association was found between age or gender and vertical subtypes. Angle’s dental classification showed variable overlap with Moyers’ skeletal subtypes.

Conclusion: The Dravidian population demonstrated a distinct distribution of Moyers’ Class II subtypes, emphasizing the influence of ethnic craniofacial characteristics. Moyers’ cephalometric classification provides superior diagnostic insight compared to Angle’s system and facilitates more individualized treatment planning.
Keywords:Class II malocclusion, Moyers classification, Cephalometric analysis, Dravidian population, Horizontal subtypes, Vertical subtypes, Orthodontic diagnosis.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FUNDING

Nil

How to cite this article: Rishika Singla, Ravindra Kumar Jain, Swati Singh. Prevalence of Moyer’s Class II malocclusion Subtypes in Dravidian Population: A Cephalometric Study. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2026; 17 (1): 27-38.

Doi: 10.56501/Intjorthodrehabil.171.ijor0077