Intercanthal, and Interalar Distances of Sudanese Population Sample as References for Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Size

Abstract

This is descriptive cross sectional study to investigate the relationship between intercanthal distance, interalar width and the width of anterior maxillary teeth in Sudanese population sample of. The sample consisted of 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 meian angles of the palpabral fissure, while the interalar width (I.A.W ) was determined by measuring the external width of the ala of the nose at the widest point. The mean width of maxillary central incisors, maxillary lateral incisors, maxillary canines, and the overall width of maxillary incisors, were measured on casts at their widest dimension. Total width of the four maxillary incisors, and total width of the six maxillary anterior teeth were calculated by adding together the sum of individual tooth width. 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 6 electronic digital caliper (Narex – Czechoslovakia) was used for all measurements. The results showed a significant correlation 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). . Again the interalar distance and maxillary central incisor on right and left side in all subjects was found to be significal in males (Pvalue 0.007, 0.018 respectively). Significant results were also obtained from the intercanine distance in all subjects as well as the overall widths of the four maxillary incisors (P-value 0.000). The results indicated that: Maxillary intercanine distance may be estimated by dividing I.A.W by factor 1.1. Maxillary central incisor (right or left) may be estimated by dividing I.A.W by factor 4.7. - Overall width of four maxillary incisor may be estimated by dividing I.A.W by factor 1.4. Maxillary intercanine distance may be estimated by dividing I.C.D by factor 0.9. These results could be used as a helpful guide for selection of anterior tooth width in the Sudanese populationIn the future a study can be conducted in the relationship between interalar width and the width of the anterior maxillary teeth in each tribe due to the great ethnic variation among Sudanese tribes