AUTHOR(S): Dr. Fozia Mir, Dr. Shazia Mir, Dr. Nazia Majeed Zargar and Dr. Waseem Ul Ayoub

ABSTRACT:Introduction:The present study was conducted to provide the normative data on the mesio-distal and bucco-lingual crown measurements in 3 – 5yr old school going children between Chidambaram and Srinagar. Material and methods:In this study two hundred children were randomly selected from the population of Chidambaram and Srinagar schools based on the inclusion criteria during initial dental screening. During the second visit maxillary and mandibular impressions were made by principal examiner with alginate [neocolloid] in the room provided by the school authorities. In the present study a digital caliper was used to measure the mesiodistal and the bucco-lingual dimensions of the teeth. Measurement of following five teeth on each side in both the dental arches was recorded in the Performa along with their name, age and sex. Results: The present investigation found that male teeth were larger than female in both group one and group two except for lower lateral incisors. It is the y – chromosome that seems to contribute in the size of the teeth by controlling the thickness of dentine, whereas x – chromosome seems to be responsible for modulating thickness of enamel. The sexual dimorphism in the tooth morphology is also attributable to the presence of relatively more dentine of the crowns of male teeth. The tooth dimensions were larger for Srinagar children [North] compared to Chidambaram children [South]. Conclusion: The importance of the tooth measurements and it’s application in diagnosis and clinical dentistry has been well emphasized in the past. Some of more common types of the malocclusion are basically due to the discrepancy between the tooth material and the size of the dental arches. This discrepancy may be reflected clinically as crowding of the teeth, if the combination of excessive tooth material and a short dental arch length exists. On the other hand, it may result in spacing and diastema between teeth if the arch length is more and the tooth material is less. In either case, it is a space problem, which is of great interest to general dentist, as well as to the pedodontist and orthodontist in diagnosis and treatment planning. The tooth size ratio also contribute great deal to balanced occlusion, facial harmony and esthetics. Since very less studies on the measurements of the tooth size have been made in India further studies should be carried out all over India.

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