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 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2021  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 123-126

Maxillary intercanine width at three stages of dentition – A cross-sectional study


Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, H.P. Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Date of Submission12-Apr-2021
Date of Acceptance21-Dec-2021
Date of Web Publication24-Dec-2021

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Anita Thakur
Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, H.P. Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijfo.ijfo_10_21

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  Abstract 


Objective: This study aimed to determine the palatal intercanine width from deciduous dentition to permanent dentition in 5–16-year-old children.
Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 168 children who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were examined. Study models were constructed and maxillary intercanine width was measured using Vernier digital caliper.
Results: Statistically significant difference was found in upper intercanine width (UICW) between males and females in primary dentition (P < 0.034). A statistically nonsignificant difference was found in UICW in mixed and permanent dentition. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test and t-test was applied to verify the existence of significant differences between the groups.
Conclusion: The present study found that there is a significant increase in intercanine width in upper dental arch from primary dentition to permanent dentition.

Keywords: Arch, dimensions, intercanine width, maxillary


How to cite this article:
Thakur A, Thakur S, Singhal P, Chauhan D. Maxillary intercanine width at three stages of dentition – A cross-sectional study. Int J Forensic Odontol 2021;6:123-6

How to cite this URL:
Thakur A, Thakur S, Singhal P, Chauhan D. Maxillary intercanine width at three stages of dentition – A cross-sectional study. Int J Forensic Odontol [serial online] 2021 [cited 2024 Mar 29];6:123-6. Available from: https://www.ijofo.org/text.asp?2021/6/2/123/333627




  Introduction Top


The human craniofacial complex and associated dental arches undergo visible alterations as they grow and adapt[1] from childhood to early permanent dentition. Morphological variations in the dental arch measurements in primary dentition, mixed dentition, and permanent dentition are of great concern to a dentist as they encounter clinical problems associated with developing dentition such as tooth anomalies, caries, and malocclusion.

Individual occlusal variables are not functionally or anatomically independent. Their interdependence means that sets of occlusal features could have different patterns of inheritance or response to environmental influences than individual attributes.[2] These morphogenetic characteristics expressed differently in different ethnic people. The size and shape of dental arches present with different variability within and among different population groups ranging from short and wide to long and narrow.

Thus, understanding the peculiar features of the developing dentition and changes in dental arches that will take place from primary dentition to permanent dentition for a particular population is important for the pediatric dentists who are involved in the guidance of eruption, preventive procedures, and planning early orthodontic interventions before the peak of growth.

Although various studies have been done on the malocclusion status of the children of Himachal Pradesh, there are no reported studies showing changes in upper intercanine width (UICW) from primary to permanent dentition. This investigation evaluated the changes in intercanine width cross-sectionally from primary dentition to permanent dentition in 5–16-year-old children of Shimla, a district in the northern hilly state of India.


  Materials and Methods Top


This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Himachal Pradesh Government Dental College and Hospital, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). The study has been approved by the institutional ethical committee. A total of 823 schoolgoing children between the age of 5 years and 16 years were examined and the dentition stage was clinically determined for each subject by a trained examiner. Informed consent was obtained from each subject and head of the corresponding school after explaining the purpose, methodology involved, the related risks, and benefits. A sample of 150 (each dentition stage consisted 50 children) was estimated based on the study done by Younes et al.[3] Stratified random sampling was done and students were selected from 10 kindergartens, 10 elementary, and 10 middle schools which were evenly distributed in the four regions of the district[4] and the patients attending the outpatient department of pediatric and preventive dentistry, as per the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic information was taken regarding age and gender. Subjects with their parents and grandparents belonging to Shimla were selected to participate in the study, with an average age of 5.3 years in primary dentition, 9.64 years in mixed dentition, and 14.28 years in permanent dentition [Table 1]. They were diagnosed as having canines bilaterally in normal occlusion (normal occlusion was considered as dental and skeletal Class 1 occlusion with a satisfactory clinical occlusion)[5],[6] with no history of orthodontic treatment.[6] Individuals with teeth having proximal caries, proximal wear, proximal restoration or fracture as determined by clinical examination, facial asymmetry, oral habits, maxillofacial and dental fracture, palatal clefts, and dental anomalies were excluded from the study. A perforated maxillary impression tray was tried for size and selected prior to every impression. A polysiloxane (condensation-type) putty impression was taken by using standard procedures for material mixing as recommended by the manufacturer. After taking the impression, it was rinsed in running water and was disinfected with 2% glutaraldehyde solution by immersing it for 10 or 20 min as all the surfaces of impression and tray were covered with the disinfectant solutions.[7] Then, these impressions were poured with dental stone on the same day, i.e. within 24 h of impression making.
Table 1: Descriptive statics of age among primary, mixed, and permanent dentitions

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The casts were classified into three groups according to dentition stages as:

  • Group I: Primary dentition stage
  • Group II: Mixed dentition stage
  • Group III: Permanent dentition stage.


The measurements were done using Vernier digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm for the canine area. Intercanine width was measured as the distance between the crown tips of the canines (transverse width in between deciduous canines in primary and mixed dentition and transverse width in permanent canines in permanent dentition).[6]


  Measurement reliability Top


Measurements were obtained for each parameter with a Vernier caliper accurate to 0.01 mm. A second measurement was performed randomly on 30% of the total sample casts 1 week after the first measurements. Intraobserver reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) test. Intraobserver reliability was considered excellent with ICC value of 0.998.

Statistical analysis

Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test and t-test was applied to verify the existence of significant differences in “Primary Dentition (Group I), Mixed Dentition (Group II), and Permanent Dentition (Group III),” variables among dentition stages respectively. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

For the purpose of this study, it was concluded that this level of accuracy was appropriate.


  Results Top


A total of 823 subjects were examined in different schools for the study in the age group of 5–16 years. Among these examined subjects, 168 impressions were poured. The casts which were fractured and had bubbles on the canine tips were excluded. Finally, the study included a total of 150 casts which were divided into three groups equally, i.e. Group I, Group II, and Group III. The mean age at different stages of dentition was calculated. Measurements of the arch dimension like intercanine width were measured on the cast using Vernier caliper.

[Table 2] shows the mean (±standard deviation [SD]) of intercanine width using digital caliper in Group I, Group II, and Group III which are 28.33 ± 1.01, 33.96 ± 1.29, and 35.07 ± 1.24, respectively. Group I have a statistically significant difference between males and females, i.e. P = 0.034. In Group II and Group III male and female, mean (±SD) do not differ significantly having P = 0.088 and P = 0.189, respectively. A statistically significant difference is found between Group I and Group II, Group I and Group III, and Group II and Group III which are P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively.
Table 2: Comparison of palatal intercanine width among primary, mixed, and permanent dentition and between males and females

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  Discussion Top


India is a developing country and oral health, particularly the treatment of malocclusion, is still not the priority of the people. Hence, it is necessary to know about the normal dentoskeletal measurements for future diagnosis and treatment planning. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the findings of palatal intercanine width from deciduous dentition to permanent dentition in 5–16-year-old children of district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. In the present study, an increase of 5.6 mm from age 5.2 to 9.8 years in overall palatal intercanine width from primary dentition to mixed dentition was found, which was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference between males and females in primary dentition. Ahn et al.[8] reported that the intercanine width increased from ages 6 to 8 years in maxilla, both in girls and boys.

Most of the studies in literature reported a lesser increase in palatal intercanine width from primary to mixed dentition when compared to our study. A rapid increase in palatal intercanine width was reported by the studies done by Barrow and White[9] (increase of 4 mm), Moorrees et al.[10] (increase of 3 mm), and Sillman.[11] Very little increase in palatal intercanine width from primary to mixed dentition was found by Hassanali and Odhiambo[12] (an increase of 0.21 mm from 6 to 8–12 years of age for Kikuyu, Maasai, and Kalenjin sample), Ahn et al.[8] (1.08 mm from 6 years to 9 years), and Eslami Amirabadi et al.[4] (an increase of 0.47 mm from 5 years to 9 years of age). Knott[13] and Thilander[6] reported an increase in palatal intercanine width from primary dentition to mixed dentition due to eruption of permanent incisors in mixed dentition stage which leads to an increase of the anterior segment of maxilla. The studies done by Ross-Powell and Harris[14] and Harris and Smith[2] reported an increase in palatal intercanine width of 4.3 mm between ages of 5 and 10 years in which they concluded that it could be due to the expansion at maxillary-premaxillary sutures. There was an increase of 1.02 mm in palatal intercanine width from mixed dentition to permanent dentition from the age of 10 years to 14 years in the present study, which was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Similar results were reported in several studies ([0.92 mm [Arslan et al.[15]], 2 mm [Sillman[11] and Knott[13]], Eslami Amirabadi et al.[4] [4.60 mm for Saudis], and Yang et al.[16] [0.95 mm from 10 years to 12 years]). These findings were in contrast with the finding of the studies done by Sinclair and Little[17] which showed a decrease of 0.31 mm, additionally Moorrees et al.[10] and Tsujino and Machida et al.[18] also showed a decrease from the mixed to the permanent stage. Bishara et al.[19] stated that the arch width dimensions were established in the mixed dentition by 8 years of age with some, but minimal, increase until the early permanent dentition (13 years) and progressive, but minimal, decrease in early and mid-adulthood. Burdi and Moyers[20] pointed that the direction of the vertical alveolar growth differs significantly in the maxillary and mandibular arches. The maxillary alveolar processes diverge as the teeth erupt, whereas the growth of the mandibular alveolar process is more parallel. Such changes have significant clinical implications because they may allow for a greater differential increase in the maxillary arch width during treatment. The study done by Thilander[6] stated that with the eruption of permanent canines, a further minor increase was observed in the maxillary arch. Ahn et al.[8] stated that the permanent canines establish their final position and get stabilized by surrounding functional structures. Due to this stability, teeth are generally considered to move within bony confines and surrounding bone would change according to these functionally stabilized teeth which should be analyzed in future studies.[8] Furthermore; Ciusa et al.[21] stated that “in children with a complete deciduous dentition, the lack of age-related modifications in maxillary intercanine width implies careful consideration of treatment timing of patients with crossbites and when a functional cause has been ruled out, the diagnosis of a crossbite at the deciduous canines should be a priority, because a relatively reduced maxillary intercanine distance will probably not correct spontaneously with growth.”

The present study indicated that there is an increase of 6.62 mm in intercanine width from primary to permanent dentition. However, it is important to construct more precise findings for the width in anterior maxillary arch in canine region for children of Shimla origin of Himachal Pradesh. These progressive changes from deciduous to permanent dentition could not be indicated due to our cross-sectional research. Hence, further longitudinal studies are required to be done for the follow-up of the dental arch development in children throughout the whole growth period to ascertain changes that may occur during the transitional periods from primary dentition to permanent dentition.[22]


  Conclusion Top


Intercanine width varies among different populations. To summarize, the present study found that there is a significant increase in intercanine width in upper dental arch from primary dentition to permanent dentition. A statistically significant difference was found in UICW between males and females in primary dentition. A statistically nonsignificant difference was found in UICW in mixed and permanent dentition.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Carter GA, McNamara JA Jr. Longitudinal dental arch changes in adults. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1998;114:88-99.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Harris EF, Smith RJ. Occlusion and arch size in families. A principal components analysis. Angle Orthod 1982;52:135-43.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Younes S, El Angbawi MF, Al Dosari AM. A comparative study of palatal height in a Saudi and Egyptian population. J Oral Rehabil 1995;22:391-5.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Eslami Amirabadi G, Golshah A, Derakhshan S, Khandan S, Saeidipour M, Nikkerdar N. Palatal dimensions at different stages of dentition in 5 to 18-year-old Iranian children and adolescent with normal occlusion. BMC Oral Health 2018;18:87.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Fabiane L. Dental arch dimensions in mixed dentition: A study of Brazilian children from 9 to 12 years of age. J Appl Oral Sci 2011;19:169-74.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Thilander B. Dentoalveolar development in subjects with normal occlusion. A longitudinal study between the ages of 5 and 31 years. Eur J Orthod 2009;31:109-20.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Sinobad T, Obradović-Djuricić K, Nikolić Z, Dodić S, Lazić V, Sinobad V, et al. The effect of disinfectants on dimensional stability of addition and condensation silicone impressions. Vojnosanit Pregl 2014;71:251-8.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Ahn JS, Park MS, Cha HS, Song HC, Park YS. Three-dimensional interpretation of intercanine width change in children: A 9-year longitudinal study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2012;142:323-32.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Barrow GV, White JR. Developmental changes of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches. Angle Orthod. 1952; 22: 41–6.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Moorrees CF, Gron AM, Lebret LM, Yen PK, Fröhlich FJ. Growth studies of the dentition: A review. Am J Orthod 1969;55:600-16.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Sillman JH. Dimensional changes of the dental arches: Longitudinal study from birth to 25 years. Am J Orthod 1964;50:824-42.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Hassanali J, Odhiambo JW. Analysis of dental casts of 6-8- and 12-year-old Kenyan children. Eur J Orthod 2000;22:135-42.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Knott VB. Longitudinal study of dental arch widths at four stages of dentition. Angle Orthod 1972;42:387-94.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
14.
Ross-Powell RE, Harris EF. Growth of the anterior dental arch in black American children: A longitudinal study from 3 to 18 years of age. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2000;118:649-57.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
15.
Arslan SG, Kama JD, Sahin S, Hamamci O. Longitudinal changes in dental arches from mixed to permanent dentition in a Turkish population. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2007;132: 21.e15-21.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.
Yang D, Liang S, Zhang K, Gao W, Bai Y. Evaluation of growth and development of late mixed dentition upper dental arch with normal occlusion using 3-dimensional digital models. J Healthc Eng 2019;2019:4191848.  Back to cited text no. 16
    
17.
Sinclair PM, Little RM. Maturation of untreated normal occlusions. Am J Orthod 1983;83:114-23.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.
Tsujino K, Machida Y. A longitudinal study of the growth and development of the dental arch width from childhood to adolescence in Japanese. Bull Tokyo Dent Coll 1998;39:75-89.  Back to cited text no. 18
    
19.
Bishara SE, Jakobsen JR, Treder J, Nowak A. Arch width changes from 6 weeks to 45 years of age. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1997;111:401-9.  Back to cited text no. 19
    
20.
Burdi AR, Moyers RE. Development of the dentition and occlusion. In: Moyers RE, editor. Handbook of Orthodontics. 4th ed., Ch. 6. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers; 1988.  Back to cited text no. 20
    
21.
Ciusa V, Dimaggio FR, Sforza C, Ferrario VF. Three-dimensional palatal development between 3 and 6 years. Angle Orthod 2007;77:602-6.  Back to cited text no. 21
    
22.
Otuyemi OD, Sote EO, Isiekwe MC, Jones SP. Occlusal relationships and spacing or crowding of teeth in the dentitions of 3-4-year-old Nigerian children. Int J Paediatr Dent 1997;7:155-60.  Back to cited text no. 22
    



 
 
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