Morpho-dimensional analysis of the maxillary central incisor clinical crown in cases of congenitally missing upper lateral incisors.

AIM: the purpose of this study was to analyse the crown morphology of maxillary central incisors in cases of agenesis of the upper lateral incisors, in order to establish patterns of associations between reduced mesio-distal dimensions of anterior teeth and tooth abnormalities in number.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

the sample consisted of 31 patients with unilateral and bilateral absence of maxillary lateral incisors. Ninety six subjects without any agenesis were included in the control group. Mesio-distal widths of each central incisor crown were measured by means of 2 parameters; at the apical third of the crown and at the contact point. A Student's t test was used to compare the results of each measurement within both group.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in mesio-distal diameters at the contact points but not in the mesio-distal diameter at the apical third of the crown.

CONCLUSIONS

It could be suggested that in case of cases of agenesis of the lateral incisors the central incisors show a rectangular shape of the crown instead of the trapezoid shape in subjects without agenesis. These remarks should be considered before the orthodontic-prosthetic treatment is planned.