Correlation of maxillary anterior tooth width and outer intercanthal distance

Gen Dent. 2015 Jul-Aug;63(4):39-42.

Abstract

The selection of the correct maxillary anterior teeth to establish proper mesiodistal width in a prosthesis is one of the most crucial phases of prosthodontic treatment. The ratio of facial measurements to natural tooth width could be considered a helpful scale. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between outer intercanthal distance (OICD) and the combined anterior width (CAW) of maxillary teeth. The CAW between the canine distal contacts and the OICD of 100 men and 100 women were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients demonstrated a positive correlation between OICD and CAW. There was no statistically significant difference between the sexes in mean difference between OICD and CAW. Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that the OICD can be used as a fairly reliable method to determine the CAW for edentulous patients.

Keywords: combined anterior width of maxillary teeth; facial measurements; outer intercanthal distance; prosthodontics.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cuspid / anatomy & histology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incisor / anatomy & histology*
  • Male
  • Maxilla / anatomy & histology
  • Young Adult