Analysis of the Facial Measurements and Dental Arch Dimensions for the Construction of Dental Prostheses among Adult Yemenis.

AIM: To investigate the dental arch dimension (width, length, and height) and facial measurements including inner-canthal width (ICW), bizygomatic width (BZW), inter-alar width (IAW), and mouth width (MW), and to assess the correlation between these facial measurements and dental arch width (canine width [CW], inter-first premolar width [I1PW], and inter-first molar width [I1MW]), to establish a preliminary reference for artificial teeth selection in Yemeni adult.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 80 individuals (40 males and 40 females) with symmetrical faces and normal class I occlusion ranging in age from 20 to 35. Maxillary and mandibular stone casts were made for each individual. The dimensions of dental casts and facial measurements, including ICW, BZW, IAW, and MW, were assessed using a digital caliper. The collected data were analyzed by using the SPSS software program. The descriptive statistics for each measurement were made. Differences between males and females were tested using an independent-sample t -test with p -values below 0.05 considered significant. Pearson correlation coefficient between facial measurements and dental arch width was also done.

RESULTS: Most dental arch dimensions and facial measurements exhibited larger mean values in the male than in the female group, with the greatest significant difference in the maxillary dental arch width and the lowest in mandibular dental arch length. A highly significant correlation is observed between ICW and maxillary canine width (CW) ( r = 0.318, p = 0.004). In contrast, no significant correlation between dental arch width and BZW, IAW, and MW is shown.

CONCLUSIONS: Within this study's limitations, the ICW can determine the ideal dimension of the artificial teeth in the anterior maxillary arch. While the other facial parameters, including BZW, IAW, and MW, cannot be used for artificial teeth selection in Yemeni populations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of this study established a reference database of facial measurements and their correlation to dental arch and teeth width in Yemeni populations. So, it can be implemented in artificial teeth and dental prostheses design and construction.