Individual Tooth Width
Range and Mean Distribution Frequency
Stephen J. Chu, DMD
This lecture will discuss the clinical
significance of tooth biometry and distribution frequency, in which size for
tooth restoration may vary among patients of different age, race, or sex. Upon
watching this video, the viewer should:
- Become more familiar with the range of individual tooth width of
the maxillary anterior dentition, and the mean distribution frequencies within
a given population of patients.
- Understand whether gender differences exist for the maxillary
anterior teeth, and if age and racial background affect tooth size.
Proper diagnosis of tooth size for each
patient is critical in treatment planning for aesthetic restorative dentistry.
The goal of this study was to determine the clinically relevant range and mean
distribution frequency of individual tooth width of the maxillary anterior
dentition within a given population of patients. Mean values for restoration of
tooth size were not interchangeable for the different group size of patients or
respective tooth groups. The results of this study suggest that there exists a
range value of maxillary anterior tooth width for both males and females.
A normal distribution of individual tooth
width size exists for a given population of male and female patients. Only 35%
of the population is clustered around the mean. Expanding the range of the mean
by +0.5 mm, however, will increase the occurrence within the population to
about 60%. Including both +0.5 mm and -0.5 mm in the range will further
increase the occurrence rate to approximately 80%. Mean values and normal
distribution differed significantly between genders, with females consistently
0.5 mm to 1 mm smaller than males. Further research, however, is needed with
larger population sizes to determine if race or age also affects this outcome
of gender with respect to the width of the anterior teeth. These findings have
significant clinical relevance in that proper tooth biometry exists for each
patient; individual tooth size must therefore be identified prior to any
attempt to create an aesthetic smile via dental restorations.
*Clinical Associate Professor and Director,
Advanced and International Programs in Aesthetic Dentistry, Department of
Implant Dentistry, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY;
Section Editor of Prosthdontics, PPAD; private practice, New York, NY.
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