Comparison of the anatomic crown width/length ratios of unworn and worn maxillary teeth in Asian and white subjects

• Published in: The Journal of prosthetic dentistry Vol. 107; no. 1; pp. 11 - 16
• Main Authors: Tsukiyama, Teppei, Marcushamer, Eduardo, Griffin, Terrence J., Arguello, Emilio, Magne, Pascal, Gallucci, German O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 2012
• Subjects: Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Bicuspid - anatomy & histology; Cuspid - anatomy & histology; Dentistry; European Continental Ancestry Group; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Incisor - anatomy & histology; Maxilla; Odontometry - statistics & numerical data; Photography, Dental - methods; Tooth Attrition - pathology; Tooth Crown - anatomy & histology; Tooth Wear - pathology
• ISSN: 0022-3913; 1097-6841; 1097-6841
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3913(12)60009-2

Various aspects of anatomic tooth dimensions have been examined in a number of studies where data are primarily based on the measurements obtained from white subjects. Additional factors such as ethnicity should be considered to produce a more comprehensive analysis. The purpose of this study is to compare the anatomic crown dimensions of extracted maxillary teeth in Asian and white populations. The width/length ratio (%) was calculated with standardized digital images of extracted maxillary anterior teeth from 157 Asian and 142 white subjects. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the 4 tooth groups (central incisiors, lateral incisiors, canines, and premolars) of the 2 ethnicities. The distribution of the outcome variables were examined for normality with the Kolmigorov-Smirnov test. Independent sample t tests were used to examine differences in outcomes in Asian and white subjects. There was a significant difference ( P<.05) in the width/length ratios of all maxillary anterior teeth in Asian and white subjects. In addition, there was a significant difference in the width of unworn central incisors and the length of worn lateral incisors and canines. Ethnicity influences width/length ratios for all 4 anterior maxillary teeth. Anterior maxillary teeth in Asian subjects appear to be more slender when compared with those in white subjects.