Intercanthal distance of a Sudanese population sample as a reference for selection of maxillary anterior teeth size

Abstract

Background: The choice of the size of artificial teeth takes an important place in the removable prosthodontic treatment. However, the standards or proportions commonly used as a guide have been developed mainly on Caucasian populations. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between intercanthal distance and the anterior maxillary teeth size in Sudanese population. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in 114 subjects, (45 males - 69 females), from Khartoum and Juba Universities. The age range was from 18-46 years. The intercanthal distance (I.C.D) was the measurement taken between the median angles of the palpabral fissure. Maxillary intercanine distance was obtained by measuring a line from the tip of the canine on one side, to the canine on the other side. An electronic digital caliper (Narex – Czechoslovakia) was used for all measurements. Data were analyzed using Person chi–square test.
Results: a significant correlation is found between intercanthal distance and maxillary intercanine distance in all subjects (P-value 0.015), and in females who had a (P-value of 0.006). Maxillary intercanine distance may be estimated by dividing I.C.D by factor 0.9. Conclusion: These results could be used as a helpful guide for selection of anterior teeth width in the Sudanese population.