The relationship between innercanthal dimension and interalar width to the intercanine width of maxillary anterior teeth in central Indian population

Craniofacial identification standards: A review of reliability, reproducibility, and implementation

There are numerous anatomical and anthropometrical standards that can be utilised for craniofacial analysis and identification. These standards originate from a wide variety of sources, such as orthodontic, maxillofacial, surgical, anatomical, anthropological and forensic literature, and numerous media have been employed to collect data from living and deceased subjects. With the development of clinical imaging and the enhanced technology associated with this field, multiple methods of data collection have become accessible, including Computed Tomography, Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Radiographs, Three-dimensional Scanning, Photogrammetry and Ultrasound, alongside the more traditional in vivo methods, such as palpation and direct measurement, and cadaveric human dissection. Practitioners often struggle to identify the most appropriate standards and research results are frequently inconsistent adding to the confusion. This paper aims to clarify how practitioners can choose optimal standards, which standards are the most reliable and when to apply these standards for craniofacial identification. This paper describes the advantages and disadvantages of each mode of data collection and collates published research to review standards across different populations for each facial feature. This paper does not aim to be a practical instruction paper; since this field encompasses a wide range of 2D and 3D approaches (e.g., clay sculpture, sketch, automated, computer-modelling), the implementation of these standards is left to the individual practitioner.

Correlation between different points on the face and the width of maxillary anterior teeth

Statement of problem

There is currently no consensus on the relationship between maxillary anterior teeth and different facial anthropometric measurements. Additionally, whether these relationships vary by age and sex remains unreported.

Purpose

This clinical study aimed to investigate the relationship between the intercanine distance (ICaD) and intercanthal distance (ICD), interpupillary distance (IPD), interalar width (IAW), and intercommissural width (ICW), and to compare whether these relationships differ between different age and sex populations.

Material and methods

Participants (n = 409) were enrolled according to the inclusion criteria, and their standardized digital images were taken to measure facial and oral segments through an image processing program. The differences between ICaD and four facial measurements and the sexual differences for all measurements were compared using the 1-sample t-test. The differences among different age groups for all measurements were compared using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and a least significant difference (LSD) test was used for multiple comparisons. The association between ICaD and the four facial measurements was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. The correlation between ICaD and four facial measurements was evaluated using linear regression. Differences in regression equations among the subgroups were evaluated through subgroup regression analysis and the significance test of the difference between the two regression coefficients. Tests of significance were two-sided, with alpha level of 0.05. The reliability of the results was evaluated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

The ICD, IPD, ICW, and IAW significantly differed from the ICaD in both sexes (P < 0.01). All measurements were significantly greater in men than in women (P < 0.01). The differences among the age groups were statistically significant for all measurements except IPD (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between all facial measurements (r = 0.258 [ICD], r = 0.334 [IPD], r = 0.389 [ICW], and r = 0.393 [IAW]) and the ICaD in both sexes. The highest correlation was found between ICW(r = 0.345) and ICAD in men and IAW (r = 0.285) and ICAD in women. Except for the 20-29 and 50-59 age groups, the mathematical equations of ICaD and facial anthropometric measurements differed among the other age groups and sexes.

Conclusions

ICD, IPD, ICW, and IAW cannot be directly used to determine ICaD in both sexes. Nevertheless, when observed from the frontal aspect, by the use of digital images, all facial measurements correlated to the intercanine distance, with a high probability. The mathematical formulae combined with facial anthropological measurements can help ensure the combined width of the six maxillary anterior teeth, but the effects of sex and age differences should be considered.

Correlation Between Maxillary Anterior Teeth and Common Facial Measurements

Background

The symmetry between maxillary anterior teeth and the face holds significant importance. This study assessed and analyzed the relationship between facial parameters and anterior teeth in the maxillary arch of male and female subjects. Specifically, individual width and combined width (CW) measurements of the maxillary anterior teeth were investigated.

Methods

This study involved a total of 150 dentate Yemeni subjects (74 men and 76 women), whose ages ranged from 18 years old to 30 years old. A maxillary cast was created, and two digital photographs of the face of each subject were taken and analyzed. Digital calipers and AutoCAD were used to gather measurement data of the dental parameters (intercanthal distance [ICD], interpupillary distance [IPD], interalar width [IAW], intercommissural width [ICW], and bizygomatic width [BZW]) and facial parameters (profile distance).

Results

Significant correlations were found for the following: IPD and width of six maxillary anterior teeth of each of the study subjects; ICD and their central incisors; and BZW and their canine width measurements. In contrast, IAW and ICW were not correlated with all tooth measurements. Linear regression findings showed that the CW measurement of the four incisors was significantly correlated with all facial parameter measurements, excluding the ICW and IAW in females and the IAW, ICW, and profile distance in males.

Conclusion

The IPD and ICD of males and females may be used to determine their CW measurements. The BZW and IPD of males can be used to take precise anthropological measurements of the width of the central canines and incisors. Meanwhile, the IPD distance of females can be used to assess the central and lateral incisor widths.

An Assessment of the Accuracy of Recurring Esthetic Dental Proportion: An In Vivo Comparative Analysis of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Proportion With Chu's Gauge and Custom-Made Calipers

Smile designing, in harmony with nature, has always been a challenge in dentistry. Several theories have been proposed in the past with a view to replicate an esthetic smile. One such method proposed by Dr. Chu involves using the recurring esthetic dental (RED) proportion. He designed a scale for calculating the average values for the height and width of upper anterior teeth for a specified population. However, whether this average is valid for other populations has not been verified. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate if Chu's gauge value agrees with the dimension of anterior teeth in the South Indian population. The study involved 362 subjects whose anterior teeth dimension was assessed using Chu's gauge and a custom-made caliper. The proportion of the population whose dimension aligns with the average values on Chu's gauge was evaluated. The results showed that in the cohort, 39% had their central incisor dimension coinciding with the red band of Chu's esthetic scale, 10% had their lateral incisor coinciding with the blue band of Chu's esthetic scale, and 6.4% of the subjects had their canine dimension coinciding with the yellow band of Chu's esthetic scale.

Analysis of the Facial Measurements and Dental Arch Dimensions for the Construction of Dental Prostheses among Adult Yemenis

AIM

To investigate the dental arch dimension (width, length, and height) and facial measurements including inner-canthal width (ICW), bizygomatic width (BZW), inter-alar width (IAW), and mouth width (MW), and to assess the correlation between these facial measurements and dental arch width (canine width [CW], inter-first premolar width [I1PW], and inter-first molar width [I1MW]), to establish a preliminary reference for artificial teeth selection in Yemeni adult.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 80 individuals (40 males and 40 females) with symmetrical faces and normal class I occlusion ranging in age from 20 to 35. Maxillary and mandibular stone casts were made for each individual. The dimensions of dental casts and facial measurements, including ICW, BZW, IAW, and MW, were assessed using a digital caliper. The collected data were analyzed by using the SPSS software program. The descriptive statistics for each measurement were made. Differences between males and females were tested using an independent-sample t-test with p-values below 0.05 considered significant. Pearson correlation coefficient between facial measurements and dental arch width was also done.

RESULTS

Most dental arch dimensions and facial measurements exhibited larger mean values in the male than in the female group, with the greatest significant difference in the maxillary dental arch width and the lowest in mandibular dental arch length. A highly significant correlation is observed between ICW and maxillary canine width (CW) (r = 0.318, p = 0.004). In contrast, no significant correlation between dental arch width and BZW, IAW, and MW is shown.

CONCLUSIONS

Within this study's limitations, the ICW can determine the ideal dimension of the artificial teeth in the anterior maxillary arch. While the other facial parameters, including BZW, IAW, and MW, cannot be used for artificial teeth selection in Yemeni populations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The findings of this study established a reference database of facial measurements and their correlation to dental arch and teeth width in Yemeni populations. So, it can be implemented in artificial teeth and dental prostheses design and construction.

The Evaluation of the Relationship Between Intercondylar and Intercanine Distances, Maxillary Central Incisor Width, and Various Facial Forms: A Comparative Study

Background The intercondylar distance is a predictable and invariable parameter, which is not influenced by the soft tissue limitations and resorption unlike comparable anatomical markers. Limited studies are available on the use of intercondylar distance for the selection of teeth arrangement and its relationship with varying face forms. Aim The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between intercondylar distance and maxillary intercanine tip distances and central incisor width in square, tapering, and ovoid facial forms. Materials and methods The comparative cross-sectional study was performed between January 2021 and August 2022. A convenience sampling strategy was used to include subjects between the ages of 18 and 40 years who had all of their natural teeth. The facial forms of the subjects were detected using a face form indicator and grouped into ovoid (group A), tapering (group B), and square (group C) forms comprising 63 subjects in each group. The intercondylar and intercanine distances and maxillary central incisor width were measured using a digital caliper. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) was employed to determine the statistical difference between and across the groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc analysis, respectively. The correlation between the variables was determined by the Pearson correlation test. Results The average age of the subjects was 24.55±3.47 years, and the age distribution was found to be statistically insignificant between the groups (p=0.63). The study consisted of 21% of males and 79% of females. The mean intercondylar distance was 125.2 mm in ovoid, 123.1 mm in tapering, and 125.9 mm in square face forms (p<0.01). The mean intercanine distance was 34.82 mm for ovoid, 37.11 mm for tapering, and 37.04 mm for square facial forms (p<0.01). Similarly, the mean central incisor width was 9, 7.84, and 8.51 mm for ovoid, tapering, and square facial forms, respectively (p<0.01). The ratio of intercondylar and intercanine distances in ovoid, tapering, and square faces was 1:3.59, 1:3.31, and 1:3.39, respectively. The ratio of intercondylar and central incisor width was 1:13.9, 1:15.7, and 1:14.7 for the groups A, B, and C, respectively. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between square and ovoid incisor width, square intercanine and ovoid incisor width, tapering incisor width and intercondylar distance, tapering intercanine and intercondylar distances, and tapering incisor width and square intercanine distance. The relationship between intercondylar and intercanine distances and the central incisor width was also revealed to be statistically highly significant (p<0.01). Conclusion When face form is taken into account, tapering face form shows more positive result for the relationship of intercondylar distance with intercanine distance and central incisor width. In patients with edentulous conditions, the intercondylar distance may offer useful measurements for tooth selection.

Sex-Related Characteristics of the Face

The face is central to individual identity and gender presentation. Sex-based differences are seen at nearly every component of the face, from craniofacial structure to skin and soft tissue distribution. This article provides a framework for identification and analysis of sex-based differences in facial anatomy. This can then be used to guide individualized approaches to surgical planning to create greater congruence between patients' existing physical features and goals for gender expression.

Analysis of Lower Facial Third and Dental Proportions to Predict Maxillary Anterior Teeth Width in the Pakistani Population

Obtaining the size of the maxillary anterior teeth when performing an esthetic smile rehabilitation can be a difficult task. Metrics based on dental proportions to assist in the process are required. This study aimed to evaluate the lower facial third proportions i.e., the interalar, interphiltral, and intercommisural distance with dental proportions in predicting maxillary anterior teeth width in Pakistani citizens. This analytical study was conducted on 230 participants. Front face and retracted smile photographs were captured for all the participants, followed by maxillary impression making. The cast was then converted to 3D models for analysis. The data were entered into SPSS-25. Descriptive statistics were carried out for frequency, mean, standard deviation, and percentage calculation of gender, teeth widths, horizontal mid facial proportions, and age of the participants. Independent t-test was applied for analysis of gender and arch side disparity. Regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between independent variables (gender, age, weight, and height) and dependent variables (horizontal facial proportion, dental proportion). A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The interphiltral distance (IPLD) modified with Preston proportion (PRP) showed no significant difference with combined central incisor width, whereas a significant difference was found with golden proportion (GP), 70% recurrent esthetic dental (RED) proportion, and golden percentage (GM) modification. However, the interalar (IAD) and intercommisural distance (ICoD) modified with dental proportions showed a significant difference with maxillary anterior teeth width. The width of maxillary anterior teeth determined by plaster dental cast and 3D dental cast showed no significant difference. The ICoD, IAD, and IPLD could not be used to determine combined central incisor and intercanine width directly. The interphiltral distance modified with Preston proportion is a reliable method to predict combined central incisor width in the population studied. There was a significant difference in gender disparity when ICD, IAD, and IPLD were modified with dental proportions, except in the case of IPLD by the Preston proportion group. The golden proportion, 70% RED proportion, and golden percentage by lower facial third facial proportions are not reliable methods to predict maxillary anterior teeth width.

Intermolar and Intercanine width Changes among Class I and Class II Malocclusions Following Orthodontic Treatment

Introduction

Aim and objective

Materials and methods

How to cite this article

Determining of canine position by multiple facial landmarks to achieve natural esthetics in complete denture treatment

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Anterior tooth selection is an important step in complete denture treatment as it plays a pivotal role not only in esthetics but also in mastication and pronunciation. However, conventional methods for tooth selection are not well established and rely on facial measurements and proportions, which vary among different ethnicities.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the relationship between interalar width and intercanine distance and to compare different clinical methods for determining the position of the canine tooth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Two hundred Thai participants (100 men and 100 women) aged 18 to 25 years with 6 full maxillary anterior teeth were enrolled in this study. The interalar width and intercanine distance were measured with digital vernier calipers and compared by using the paired-samples t test. To determine the canine position, 2 reference lines-the alar line (A line) and the inner canthus of the eye to alar line (IA line)-were drawn through the canine on both sides. The horizontal distances from each reference line to the canine cusp tip and distal contact point were evaluated and then analyzed using the 1-sample t test.

RESULTS

All measurements were significantly different between men and women (P<.01). Interalar width was greater than intercanine distance in both sexes. In men, the A line coincided with the canine distal contact point (P>.05). In contrast, the IA line was distal to the canine distal contact point by 3.5 ±3.6 mm on the left side and by 3.9 ±3.4 mm on the right side. In women, the A line was situated between the canine cusp tip and distal contact point. It was mesial to the distal contact point by 2.0 ±2.0 mm on the left side and by 1.8 ±2.0 mm on the right side. The IA line was distal to the canine distal contact point by 1.2 ±2.6 mm on the left side and by 1.6 ±2.7 mm on the right side.

CONCLUSIONS

The interalar width is greater than the intercanine distance in both sexes. The A line is more clinically relevant than the IA line for predicting canine position. The A line can directly determine the distal contact point of the canine in edentulous male patients. However, in women, a distance of approximately 2 mm should be added distal to the A line to locate the distal contact point of the canine on both sides.

Evaluation of maxillary anterior teeth proportion with Chu's Gauge in a population of Central India: an in vivo study

AIM

To evaluate the width/height proportions in maxillary anterior natural dentition and its correlation with Chu's esthetic proportion Gauge.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Observational cross-sectional study with the inclusion criteria of well aligned maxillary anterior teeth.

PURPOSE

The present study attempts to perceive the application of Chu's Esthetic Proportion Gauge in a group of the central Indian population.

METHODS

A total number of 150 participants within the age group 18-30 years were screened, out of which 80 participants were selected, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria of well aligned maxillary anterior teeth with pleasing smile, unrestored, periodontally sound, no fracture, no missing, absence of diastema teeth and no H/O orthodontic treatment. The selected participants were seated on the dental chair with the Frankforts horizontal plane parallel to the floor. The participants were observed for height and width proportions using the Chu's esthetic proportion gauge and measured using digital vernier calliper. The proportion and measured height and width ratios were then compared.

RESULTS

The recorded data was compiled and entered in a spreadsheet computer program (Microsoft Excel 2007) and then exported to data editor page of SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Intergroup comparison between gauge and vernier caliper was done using Chi-square test for proportions percentages (Qualitative data) and Mann-Whitney U test of width and height and then categorized into esthetic and unesthetic anterior teeth. Level of significance was set at 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that maxillary anterior teeth did show similarity with Chu's esthetic proportion scale.

Correlation between Interalar Distance and Mesiodistal Width of Maxillary Anterior Teeth in Thrissur, Kerala, Indian Population

Aims and Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of interalar distance as an aid in maxillary anterior teeth selection in Thrissur, Kerala, Indian population. The study also evaluated whether interalar distance and maxillary anterior teeth undergo any changes as age increases in this population and whether there is a gender difference in these parameters in this population.

Materials and Methods:

A study was planned on 1200 participants in Thrissur Municipal Corporation area, Kerala, India, with the aim of checking the validity of interalar distance as a successful aid in maxillary anterior teeth selection. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Mean standard deviation and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Student's t-test was used for comparison between gender and two age groups such as 18–25 and 40–50 years. One-way ANOVA analysis was done for combined effects.

Results:

The study showed that there is a high statistical significance between the interalar distance and the mesiodistal width of six maxillary anterior teeth in females (P < 0.01) and no significance in males.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that, within the population evaluated, there was a high significant correlation between interalar distance and the mesiodistal width of six maxillary anterior teeth in both males and females. Both interalar distance and mesiodistal width of maxillary anterior teeth showed a significant increase in size as age increases. There was a significant increase in size difference for males compared to females in relation to interalar distance and not for mesiodistal width of maxillary anterior teeth.

Evaluation of the role of skull anthropometry for complete denture teeth selection: A cross-sectional study

Background:

Success of complete denture treatment lies in the ability to make it indiscernible from the natural. The selection of the six maxillary anterior teeth is of utmost importance as it contributes most to denture esthetics. Although various techniques and methods to determine the width of maxillary anterior teeth and its relation to various body measurements were done, the simple technique of using circumference of head has been less documented, specifically for Indian population.

Aims and Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the widths of the upper six anterior teeth to head circumference and the objective was to decide whether head circumference can be used as a deciding criterion to select size of maxillary anterior teeth for Central Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

This study was done on 300 people who included 135 males and 165 females. The circumference of head (A) and the combined width of the six anterior maxillary teeth (B) were measured and the ratio of A: B was determined.

Results:

EPO Info software version 6 was used to derive the statistical analysis with unpaired Student's t-tests. In male students, the mean of the ratio between the head circumferences to the combined widths of the anterior maxillary teeth was 10.14:1. In female students, the mean of the ratio between the head circumferences to the widths of the anterior maxillary teeth was 10.09:1. The average circumference of head to mesiodistal width of six anterior teeth ratio was concluded to be 10.

Conclusion:

Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that head circumference divided by 10 can be used to select a teeth set with the resulting value as the combined mesiodistal width of six anterior teeth. This can be used as a starting point for determining the width of the anterior maxillary teeth for edentulous patients, which can be further confirmed with the esthetic appearance and with other facial measurements.

Correlation between iris diameter and the width of the maxillary central incisor with digital image analysis

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Various methods have been suggested for determining the width of maxillary anterior teeth for complete dentures. A straightforward and reliable technique for anterior tooth selection in complete denture is still needed.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the correlation between the horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID) of the eye and the mesiodistal width of the maxillary central incisor tooth in a dentate Indian population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred Indian dental students participated in this study. A standardized image of the face revealing the eyes and teeth on smile was captured. The measurements of the HVID and the mesiodistal width of the maxillary central incisor at the cervical third, middle third, and incisal edge were evaluated with photoimaging software. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by paired-sample t test to compare the right and left sides, independent-sample t tests to compare between sexes, and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) to investigate the association between variables (α=.05) RESULTS: A positive correlation between the HVID and the mesiodistal width of the maxillary central incisor was found in men, with r values of .62, .78, and .79 in the cervical, middle, and incisal third regions, respectively. In women, respective r values of .59, .73, and .75 were found. Minimal differences were observed between right- and left-side measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The HVID of the eyes can be used to estimate the mesiodistal width of the maxillary central incisor tooth.

Evaluation of the Current Techniques and Introduction of a Novel Approach for Estimating Maxillary Anterior Teeth Dimensions

INTRODUCTION

Several techniques and methods have been proposed to estimate the anterior teeth dimensions in edentulous patients. However, this procedure remains challenging especially when preextraction records are not available. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate some of the existing extraoral and intraoral methods for estimation of anterior tooth dimensions and to propose a novel method for estimation of central incisor width (CIW) and length (CIL) for Saudi population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extraoral and intraoral measurements were recorded for a total of 236 subjects. Descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson's correlation tests were performed. Association was evaluated between combined anterior teeth width (CATW) and interalar width (IAW), intercommisural width (ICoW) and interhamular notch distance (IHND) plus 10 mm. Evaluation of the linear relationship between central incisor length (CIL) with facial height (FH) and CIW with bizygomatic width (BZW) was also performed.

RESULTS

Significant correlation was found between the CATW and ICoW and IAW (p-values <0.0001); however, no correlation was found relative to IHND plus 10 mm (p-value = 0.456). Further, no correlation was found between the FH and right CIL and BZW and right CIW (p-values = 0.255 and 0.822). The means of CIL, CIW, incisive papillae-fovea palatinae (IP-FP), and IHND were used to estimate the central incisor dimensions: CIL = FP-IP distance/4.45, CIW = IHND/4.49.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the ICoW and IAW measurements are the only predictable methods to estimate the initial reference value for CATW. A proposed intraoral approach was hypothesized for estimation of CIW and CIL for the given population.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Based on the results of the study, ICoW and IAW measurements can be useful in estimating the initial reference value for CATW, while the proposed novel approach using specific palatal dimensions can be used for estimating the width and length of central incisors. These methods are crucial to obtain esthetic treatment results within the parameters of the given population.

Correlation between Visible Length of the Iris and the Length of the Maxillary Central Incisor Using Digital Image Analysis- A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

Complete denture therapy is one such modality where science and art goes hand in hand. Selection of artificial teeth for completely edentulous patients is not easy in the absence of pre extraction records, because till date concrete guidelines do not exist.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation existed between the visible length of the iris and the length of the maxillary central incisor to potentially provide a guide for teeth selection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 20 Indian dental students consented to participate in the pilot study. Standardized digital images of the face revealing the eyes and component of teeth on smiling was captured using a digital camera. The digital measurements of the visible iris length (medial aperture height, tangential to iris) and the length of the maxillary central incisor from the zenith to the incisal edge were analysed using Adobe Photoshop creative cloud software. The data was statistically evaluated and results were tabulated. Karl Pearson's Coefficient of Correlation was utilized to detect if any association existed between the two variables.

RESULTS

The mean value of length of central incisor was 10.39 mm and the mean value of the visible length of iris was found to be 12.9 mm. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed an r-value <0.3 indicating minimal association between the two variables with a p-value >0.01 (.322).

CONCLUSION

On inference, the correlation between the visible iris length and that of maxillary central incisor were unable to produce a strong positive statistical association. However, an association factor between the two has been obtained. Deduction of 2.5 mm from the dimension of visible iris length will help in attaining the length of artificial maxillary central incisor tooth.

Correlation between Innercanthal Distance and Mesiodistal Width of Maxillary Anterior Teeth in a Thrissur, Kerala, India, Population

BACKGROUND

Selecting and replacing missing teeth to natural proportions and esthetic preference of a patient in the absence of pre-extraction records is a very challenging task. Although facial analysis and proportions are well discussed in many populations, none exists for the Thrissur, Kerala, population. A prosthodontic rehabilitation for Kerala patients relying on other racial norms may result in dissonant facial proportions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was (1) to evaluate the validity of innercanthal distance as a guide in determining the mesiodistal dimension of six maxillary anterior teeth in a selected Malayalee population in the Thrissur Municipal Corporation area; (2) to check whether innercanthal distance undergoes dynamic changes over time as a result of aging; and (3) to evaluate whether there is a gender difference in the analyzed mean facial and dental proportions in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 1,200 subjects in the Thrissur Municipal Corporation area. From five wards, 240 subjects were selected, out of which 120 were from the 18 to 25 years age group and 120 from the 40 to 50 years age group. Sixty males and females were selected from each group. The innercanthal distance was measured using a Digital Vernier Caliper, and alginate impressions were made to evaluate the size of maxillary anteriors. The data was analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

The study showed that there is a high statistical significance between the innercanthal distance and the mesiodistal width of six maxillary anterior teeth in females (p < 0.01) and no significance in males. There was also dynamic changes in the innercanthal dimension and the mesiodistal width of maxillary anteriors with increase in age (p < 0.001). The difference in the mean of innercanthal distance between the genders was highly statistically significant, but no significance was found between the genders in the mesiodistal width of maxillary anteriors.

CONCLUSION

Within the population evaluated, there was a high statistical significance in females between the innercanthal distance and the mesiodistal width of six maxillary anterior teeth, but not for males. Innercanthal dimension was found to undergo dynamic changes as age increases in both males and females, and it was much higher in males than in females. There was no statistical significance in the comparative evaluation of mesiodistal width of maxillary anteriors of males and females in the study.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Teeth selection is a critical step in determining the outcome of successful prosthodontic treatment. No definite guidelines for the selection of maxillary anterior teeth pertaining to the Thrissur, Kerala, population exist. A prosthodontic rehabilitation of Thrissur, Kerala, patients relying on other racial norms will result in dissonant facial proportions. In selecting maxillary anterior teeth, the knowledge of racial norms will help specify certain esthetic and functional modifications in treatment plans, which might be specific to each group. Therefore, there remains an unquestionable need for a scientific and reliable method for maxillary anterior teeth selection, which can be applied on this group of Indian population.