The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Archive
Related articles

VOLUME 12 , ISSUE 6 ( November-December, 2011 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Quantifying the Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Using Intraoral and Extraoral Anatomical Landmarks

Ayman Ellakwa, Kieran McNamara, Jasdeep Sandhu, Kedall James, Amit Arora, Iven Klineberg, Ali El-Sheikh, F Elizabeth Martin

Citation Information : Ellakwa A, McNamara K, Sandhu J, James K, Arora A, Klineberg I, El-Sheikh A, Martin FE. Quantifying the Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Using Intraoral and Extraoral Anatomical Landmarks. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011; 12 (6):414-421.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-1069

Published Online: 01-06-2012

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2011; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background

One of the major hurdles in clinical prosthodontics has been the selection and replacement of maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between intraoral and extraoral facial measurements that could assist dental practitioners in selecting esthetically appropriate maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study design was used with a sample size of one hundred and twenty participants. A questionnaire was used to identify the selection criteria and a photograph was taken for facial measurements using digitally calibrated software. Ninety-eight participants met the selection criteria and were included in the study. Measurements of intraoral landmarks were taken from stone casts of maxillary impressions using calibrated digital calipers. Each measurement was completed by two assessors to obtain mean values. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 17 software. Data were assessed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc (p < 0.05) to find any difference between tested groups. Pearson coefficients were used to determine whether correlation exists between measurements.

Results

The mean values for intraoral maxillary landmarks were: Central incisor width = 8.39 mm, circumferential canine tip to canine tip distance = 34.89 mm, arch width = 48.24 mm, left arch length = 45.24 mm, right arch length = 45.56 mm. The mean values for extraoral landmarks were: Intercanthal distance = 33.24 mm, interpupillary distance = 60.68 mm, interalar distance = 38.27 mm, intercommissure distance = 50.61 mm. Differences existed within subgroups for all intraoral and extraoral measures. A weak positive correlation existed between intraoral (r < 0.4) and extraoral measurements (r < 0.38) that remained consistent when examined by gender.

Conclusion

This study showed that the average length and width of the maxillary arch and interalar width were the anatomical landmarks that provided the strongest predictive relationship with anterior maxillary teeth (r = 0.38 – 0.4). Using these dimensions an average multiplying factor can be used to calculate maxillary incisor width or canine tip to canine tip distance. As the predictive strength is not strong, the authors recommend its use as a preliminary guide for determining the width of the maxillary anterior teeth during the initial selection of artificial teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records.

Clinical Significance

The results of this study can be used to help dentists select the size of artificial maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records.

How to cite this article

Ellakwa A, McNamara K, Sandhu J, James K, Arora A, Klineberg I, El-Sheikh A, Martin FE. Quantifying the Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Using Intraoral and Extraoral Anatomical Landmarks. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(6):414-421.


PDF Share
  1. Appropriate proportions as guidelines in selection of anterior denture teeth. Med Glas 2008;5:103-08.
  2. The relationship of interalar width, interpupillary width and maxillary anterior teeth width in Saudi population. Odontostomatol Trop 1998;21:7-11.
  3. Complete-denture esthetics. Dent Clin North Am 1996;40:71-84.
  4. The influence of maxillary central incisor position in complete dentures on /s/ sound production. J Prosthet Dent 2001;85(5):485-95.
  5. Evaluation of natural smile: Golden proportion, RED or Golden percentage. J Conserv Dent 2008;11:16-21.
  6. Correlation between the size of maxillary front teeth, the width between alae nasi and the width between corners of the lips. Acta Stomatol Croat 2001;35:175-79.
  7. Correlation between facial measurements and the mesiodistal width of the maxillary anterior teeth. J Esthet Restor Dent 200618196-205. discussion 205.
  8. Inner canthal distance and geometric progression as a predictor of maxillary central incisor width. J Prosthet Dent 2002;88:16-20.
  9. Clinical studies on the appearance of natural anterior teeth in young and old adults. Gerodontology 2004;21:10-16.
  10. Determination of approximate size of maxillary anterior denture teeth when mandibular anterior teeth are present. J Prosthet Dent 1985;53:540-42.
  11. A clinical evaluation of techniques to determine the combined width of the maxillary anterior teeth and the maxillary central incisor. J Prosthet Dent 1982;48:15-22.
  12. Complete denture aesthetics. Dent Clin North Am 1996;40:81-84.
  13. Range and mean distribution frequency of individual tooth width of the maxillary anterior dentition. Pract Proced Aesthet Dent 2007;19(4):209-15.
  14. Interalar width as a guide in denture tooth selection. J Prosthet Dent 1986;55:219-21.
  15. Anthropometric parameters of tooth selection. J Pros Dent 1991;65:250-54.
  16. Anthropometric study of inner canthal, interpupillary and outer orbital dimensions—range of normal. Indian Pediatr 1978;15:349-52.
  17. Selection of artificial teeth. J Pros Dent 1967;18:222-32.
  18. Relationship between the mesiodistal width of the maxillary central incisor and interpupillary distance. J Prosthet Dent 1984;52:641-43.
  19. The relationship between the width of the mouth, interalar width, bizygomatic width, and interpupillary distance in edentulous patients J Prosthet Dent 1991;65:250-54.
  20. Biometric relationship between intercanthal dimension and the widths of maxillary anterior teeth. J Ind Pros Soc 2007;7:123-25.
  21. The selection of anterior teeth appropriate for the age and sex of the individual. J Oral Rehabil 2002;29:34-39.
  22. Computer-generated study of the correlation between tooth, face, arch forms and palatal contour. J Prosthet Dent 1998;80:163-68.
  23. Maxillary anterior tooth dimensions and proportions in an Irish young adult population. J Oral Rehabil 2011;38(7):501-08.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.