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Mandibular incisor dimensions and crowding.

Previous authors have suggested that well-aligned mandibular incisors are narrower mesiodistally than incisors which crowd and that reducing mesiodistal dimensions of the mandibular incisors to fit a specific size range will prevent future malalignment. This study examined 164 cases from the records of the University of Washington Department of Orthodontics, 134 of which had been orthodontically treated and were a minimum of 10 years postretention. Measurements were made from the postretention plaster casts and from serial cephalometric head films. Statistical tests showed that there was a weak association between incisor widths or MD/FL dimensions ratio and irregular alignment over the long term. Mean dimensional differences between crowded and uncrowded incisors were small in the few pooled or segregated groups in which statistically significant differences were found. When incisor dimensions were combined with pretreatment, posttreatment, or long-term cephalometric and cast measurements, only weak and not clinically useful associations were found with long-term incisor alignment. While there was a weak tendency for narrower incisors to be associated with better alignment in some instances, narrower mesiodistal widths of mandibular incisors did not ensure long-term stability in orthodontically treated cases.

Adult↗

Crown formation times of human permanent anterior teeth.

One gap in knowledge of human dental-growth standards is the age at which crown fractions of anterior permanent teeth are attained. The aim of this study was to document stages of crown formation for permanent incisors and canines from a small skeletal collection of known age. The source was C18th and C19th coffin-buried skeletal material from Spitalfields in London; developing teeth from 50 individuals with recorded age-at-death (range 0-5.40 years) and 56 unaged individuals were assessed. Teeth were dissected and crown height measured directly. Each developing crown was assigned to the nearest average fraction (C14, C12, C34, Cc). These fractions were calculated from the total crown height of unworn completed teeth from this sample. Median age for C12 of the permanent upper central incisor was 1.34 years (n=16) and for the canine was 2.52 years (n=16). Data on crown formation are also presented in relation to permanent lower first molar stages C12, C34 and Cc. When M(1) was at stage C34 the modal stage for I(1) was C34 and for other incisors and canines was C12. Although the sample is small, these results fill an important gap in tooth chronology and add to knowledge of growth variation in early childhood.

Child, Preschool↗

Genetic analysis of deciduous tooth size in Australian twins.

Investigations of permanent dental crown size in twins and family groups indicate a high degree of transmissible control, but little is known about the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to variation in size of the deciduous (primary) teeth. Here, maximum mesiodistal and buccolingual crown dimensions of maxillary and mandibular primary teeth were measured from dental models of 602 individuals, including 99 monozygous (MZ) twin pairs, 81 dizygous (DZ) same-sex pairs, 41 DZ opposite-sex pairs, and 160 singletons. Data were subjected to univariate genetic analysis with the structural-equation-modelling package, Mx using the normal assumptions of the twin model. A model incorporating additive genetic (A) and unique environmental (E) variation was found to be the most parsimonious for all tooth-size variables. Estimates of heritability for deciduous crown size ranged from 0.62 to 0.91. This study shows that variation in deciduous crown size has a strong genetic component, similar to that observed in the permanent dentition. Further studies are required to determine whether the underlying genetic mechanisms are the same for both deciduous and permanent teeth.

Analysis of Variance↗

A quantitative analysis of pharyngeal tooth shape in the zebrafish (Danio rerio, Teleostei, Cyprinidae).

To test whether successive replacement cycles in the pharyngeal dentition of the zebrafish, a polyphyodont vertebrate model organism, entail overall shape changes in the teeth, a qualitative and quantitative analysis was made of size and shape variables in the five ventral teeth. The following measurements were defined: tooth length, tooth height, neck-crown angle, cusp depth, and crown curvature. Ontogenetic changes in fish, ranging between 6 and 29 mm standard length (SL), were analysed by linear regressions on to SL. The teeth became significantly larger with growth of the fish, through successive replacements and cusp depth also increased over time. Neck--crown angle and crown curvature did not change over time. Position-dependent differences were analysed by Friedman ANOVA and Kendall concordance tests. Measurements differed significantly according to tooth position in the pharyngeal jaws. Tooth 1V was always the smallest, 3V the largest. The neck--crown angle and curvature of the crown increased from 1V to 5V. Cusp depth increased from 1V to 3V, and then decreased again. These results indicate that successive replacement cycles entail a size increase accompanied by shape changes apparently restricted to the crown. These quantitative data lay the basis for further descriptive and experimental studies of tooth shape in this model-species.

Analysis of Variance↗

Planar Procrustes analysis of tooth shape.

Accurate quantification of variation in tooth shape is important in studies of dental development, which typically have involved measuring distances between subjectively identified landmarks, key points of correspondence on teeth. An established statistical framework now exists for the analysis of shape when objects are represented as configurations of landmark coordinates; allowing work with the full geometry of objects, which is otherwise lost. This approach was introduced here to the study of tooth morphology, demonstrating how after optimally matching shapes to account for the unwanted effects of location, scale and rotation, most standard descriptive and inferential statistical techniques can be adapted and applied successfully. The techniques are illustrated using a sample of buccal-surface images of central incisors from patients with hypodontia; a significant difference is found in mean buccal-surface shape (Hotelling's two-sample T(2)-test; P=0.004) when compared to a corresponding control group. Successful implementation of these methods depends on the accuracy and reliability with which the landmarks are collected; issues and problems to be addressed are discussed.

Algorithms↗

Impact of landmark reliability on the planar Procrustes analysis of tooth shape.

In a recent study, the ideas of Procrustes analysis were introduced to the study of tooth shape for teeth represented as configurations of 'landmarks' from digital images. This study aimed to establish how well the method could be expected to perform (in its standard form) when used on surfaces from a variety of tooth types and, in particular, how much impact inconsistencies in the positioning of landmarks would have on investigations of shape. Using four different operators' images and landmarks from 10 different surfaces from each of 20 patients, the consequences of location inconsistency are evaluated by calculating its effect on the recorded variation in Procrustes fits, obtained for each set of multiple representations. The proportion of variation in shape attributable to actual differences between patients, rather than other sources of error, ranged from only 36 to 65% for the five buccal-surfaces considered and was no more than 30% for any of the five occlusal surfaces. Further examination of these results indicated that consistent orientation differences before imaging might be a particular source of error in obtaining any occlusal-landmark data, as might location ambiguities around the edges of the teeth. Orientation effects were also suggested for the buccal-surfaces of the molar teeth. In contrast, the relatively flatter buccal-surfaces of the incisors and canines produced the most reliable data. Methods of analysis need to accommodate these problems if landmark data are to be used to describe variations in tooth shape. Different surfaces each present their own particular difficulties and so a variety of solutions may be required.

Female↗

A comparison between a conventional optical method and image-analysis for measuring the unimpeded eruption rate of the rat mandibular incisor.

The impeded/unimpeded eruption rates of the rat incisor have been much studied. The most commonly used optical microscopic method, which has inherent weaknesses, was compared here with an image-analysis method to measure the eruption rate of the mandibular incisor. The study also evaluated the incisal edge as a reference point for the measurement of the unimpeded eruption rate, and the frequency of shortening the mandibular incisor. The image-analysis method was found to be a simple and reliable technique that could replace the optical method. There was no significant difference between the data from the two methods; their kappa coefficients were similar at the 0.99 level. It was concluded that shortening the incisor in the measurement of the unimpeded eruption rate should be done at least every 48 h, and that the incisal edge of the shortened incisor can be used as the reference point for that measurement.

Animals↗

A histological study on the effect of different periods of orthodontic force on the innervation and dimensions of the cat periodontal ligament.

Using light microscopy, the numbers of myelinated axons in the periodontal ligament of the cat mandibular canine were counted after orthodontic forces had been applied for either 3 days or 12 weeks, and also 8 weeks after removal of a force that had been applied for the previous 12 weeks. After 3 days no significant changes in axon number were recorded, but after 12 weeks there were significantly fewer myelinated axons in the periodontal ligament of the experimental teeth than in the control teeth. This reduction was not reversed after an 8 week recovery period. The width of the ligament was measured in an attempt to correlate regions of nerve fibre degeneration with areas of compression or tension, and the tooth root circumference was measured to assess the extent of any root resorption. It appeared that axon degeneration occurred both in areas of compression and tension. Root resorption had occurred after 12 weeks of applied force and there was no significant change after the 8 week recovery period. These findings support the view that nerve injury occurs as a result of orthodontic force and may possibly be permanent.

Animals↗

Mesiodistal crown diameters of permanent teeth in Jordanians.

Mesiodistal crown diameters were measured from dental casts of the permanent teeth of 198 Jordanians (86 males and 112 females), aged 13.4-19.1 years. The differences in the crown diameters between the right- and left-hand sides of the dental arch were not significant, suggesting that either right- or left-side measurements could be taken to represent the tooth size of the study population. Males had significantly larger teeth than females, ranging from p < 0.05 for the incisors to p < 0.001 for the first molars. In both sexes, the maxillary lateral incisors showed the greatest variability [coefficient of variation (CV) 8.8%] and the first molar the least (CV 5.8%) in mesiodistal diameter. Canines displayed greater sexual dimorphism in crown size than any other tooth class. The cumulative tooth widths of males exceeded those of females by a sum of 3.1 mm in the maxilla and 3.6 mm in the mandible. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Comparisons of the mesiodistal crown diameters between population groups showed that Jordanians have tooth sizes close to those of Iraqis, but significantly larger than those of Yemenite-Jews, Caucasians and Chinese.

Adolescent↗

Non-metric tooth crown traits of the Thai, Aka and Yao tribes of northern Thailand.

A survey was made of Thai tribe members, who cultivate rice paddies in the flatlands of northern Thailand, and of the Aka and Yao tribes, who farm with the slash-and-burn method in a mountainous region of northern Thailand. Plaster casts of the upper and lower jaws of tribe members were taken. Seventeen non-metric traits of their tooth crowns were classified and compared with other Mongoloid populations in various regions and periods. It was observed that the Thai tribe had the Sundadont characteristics, typical of South-East Asians, but the Aka and Yao tribe had more Sinodont than Sundadont characteristics, typical of North-East Asians. The regional and temporal variations of crown morphology in South-East Asia suggest earlier setting of the Thai tribe than the Aka and Yao tribes in this region. Moreover, comparison of the tooth morphological and linguistic classifications contradicts the traditional theory of the genealogy of the Thai language family. On the subject of the origin of modern South-East Asians, it is suggested that there has not been a gene flow of Sinodonty into Sundadonty of the principal ethnic groups in Neolithic South-East Asia.

Asian People↗

Statistical evaluation of Monson's sphere in healthy permanent dentitions in man.

The three-dimensional curvature of the mandibular dental arch was studied in 20 men and 20 women with sound dentitions and free from temporomandibular joint problems. The x, y, z coordinates of cusp tips of all but the third molars were obtained with a three-dimensional digitizer, and used to derive a spherical model of the curvature of the occlusal surfaces. From the best interpolating sphere the radii of the left and right curves of Spee (quasi-sagittal plane) and of the canine and molar curves of Wilson (frontal plane) were computed. The occlusal curvature of the mandibular arch was not significantly influenced by gender, even if, on average, all the computed variables were larger in men than women. The radii of the overall sphere, right and left curves of Spee, and curve of Wilson in the molar area were about 105 mm in men, and about 100 mm in women. A relatively large intrasample variability in arch curvature was found. The mean sphere radius in men was very close to the classical value of 4 in, confirming Monson's observations, but the relatively large intrasample variability prevented any definitive determination of a sexual dimorphism in the three- dimensional characteristics of occlusal curvature.

Adult↗

Morphometric variables of developing primary maxillary first molar crowns in humans.

The following morphometric variables were examined in 18 primary maxillary first molars at various stages of development, collected from archaeological excavation sites in Israel: perimeters and areas from the occlusal view; buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions and intercusp distances; the angle between the line joining the distobuccal, mesiobuccal and lingual cusps; and the height of the mesiobuccal cusp. An image-analysing technique comprising a photographic camera, a monitor, a computer with appropriate software and a digital caliper was used. Significant correlations were demonstrated between most variables. Teeth were divided into two groups according to their stage of development: stage one included all teeth at an early stage of development in which mesiobuccal cusp height was less than 5 mm; stage two included all teeth in later stages of development where mesiobuccal cusp height was greater than 5 mm. All external variables showed an increase in size between the two stages (while, among the internal ones, only the angle between the cusps showed a very small increase). The small sample is a limitation but the results suggest the following: (1) growth of the primary maxillary molar crown occurs with 'bursts' of development ; and (2) a change in the shape of the crown occurs during its formation where the mesiobuccal cusp moves buccally and distally, and the lingual cusp moves mesially.

History, Ancient↗

The craniofacial complex in 47,XYY males.

Eight adult, Finnish 47,XYY males were compared with population male and female controls and, in addition, three of them were compared with first-degree male relatives. Linear and angular measurements were made from standardized lateral cephalograms of patients and normal population controls from the "Kvantti" study series. In both comparisons the craniofacial dimensions in 47,XYY males were larger than those in population male and female controls. Their craniofacial proportions and plane angles were similar to those of normal men except for a larger lower facial height with posterior rotation of the mandible and a tendency to bimaxillary protrusion, a longer cranial base and a lesser cranial-base angle. Thus the supernumerary Y chromosomal gene(s) in 47,XYY males may result in larger craniofacial dimensions than in normal males, without substantial effects on dimensional ratios and plane angles. This general metric pattern is similar to that observed in relation to many adult body and head dimensions, and the dental arches and tooth crowns, of 47,XYY males. The foramen magnum in 47,XYY males was smaller in the sagittal plane than that of normal males and females.

Adolescent↗

Effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on primary and reparative dentinogenesis in non-ascorbate-synthesizing ODS rats.

Ascorbic acid is essential to the biosynthesis of collagen, the major organic matrix component of dentine. The ODS rat is a mutant strain of Wistar rat characterized by hereditary lack of L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase and thus is unable to synthesize ascorbic acid. ODS rats were given an ascorbic acid-free diet to investigate how ascorbic acid deficiency affects dentine formation in vivo. Histomorphometric analysis on their growing molars and incisors showed a significant reduction in both size and mineral apposition rate of dentine, as revealed by contact microradiography and fluorescent time-marking, respectively. A similar reduction in bone formation was simultaneously demonstrated in the mandible, confirming the previously reported osteopathic effects of ascorbic acid deficiency. When pulp inflammation was induced in lower first molars by making unsealed pulp exposures, specimens from control animals showed continuous deposition of an osteodentine-like tissue in the radicular pulp chamber; this type of mineralized tissue formation was greatly reduced in ascorbic acid-deprived animals. These results indicate that ascorbic acid deficiency hampers dentine formation under both physiological and pathological conditions of the dentine/pulp complex. ODS rats could be useful in investigating in vivo effects of ascorbic acid deficiency on the formation of dentine and other dental mineralized tissues.

Animals↗

Asymmetry in the occlusal morphology of first permanent molars in 45,X/46,XX mosaics.

The genetic control of dental morphology is affected by various chromosomal aberrations, and morphological changes familiar to specific aneuploidies can be distinguished in many cases. Asymmetry between bilateral teeth in the dental arch in laboratory animals shows increased expression after exposure to external stress during development. Bilateral asymmetry in occlusal cuspal morphology has not been widely used as a means of odontometric examination, partly because accurate and reliable methods are not commonly available. The aim here was to examine linear and angular variables of the occlusal morphology of maxillary and mandibular first permanent molars in three dimensions in individuals with 45,X/46,XX mosaicism and to find out if this aneuploidism causes deviations from normal development and increased asymmetry in bilateral variables of the occlusal surface. The participants were five females with 45,X/46,XX chromosome constitution, whose karyotypes were confirmed by cytogenetic tests of skin fibroblasts. The controls were 10 first-degree female relatives of the mosaic patients with normal 46,XX chromosome constitution. The method of measuring the three-dimensional morphology of occlusal surfaces was based on a machine-vision technique using a single video-imaging camera. An apparent increase in asymmetry of occlusal morphology in first permanent molars in 45,X/46,XX mosaics was found. As there was evidence of directional asymmetry, it is possible that different cell lines regulated by discrete genes cause the directionality.

Aneuploidy↗

Automated image analysis applied to the odontoblast-predentine region in undemineralized sections of human permanent third molars.

A computerized histomorphometric analysis was made by Karnovsky-fixed, hydroxethylmethacrylate embedded and toluidine blue/pyronin-stained sections to determine: (1) the two-dimensional size of the coronal odontoblasts given by their cytoplasm:nucleus ratio; (2) the ratio between the number of coronal odontoblasts and dentinal tubules; and (3) the relation between odontoblast size and adjacent predentine. All conditions were measured in relation to three well-defined sectioning profiles of the dentinal tubules. The sections were randomly taken from 10 unerupted and erupted third-molar crowns. Sixty-three photomicrographs (x100), equally distributed among the three sectioning profiles, were scanned in a high-resolution scanner to produce images for the analysis. After initial user interaction for the description of training classes on one image, an automatic segmentation of the images with respect to odontoblast cell nuclei, cytoplasm and background was computed by statistical discriminant analysis. In longitudinal profiles of the dentinal tubules the cytoplasm:nucleus ratio in erupted teeth was 3.1 +/- 0.54, and the mean of the odontoblast cell:dentinal tubule ration was 1.19 +/- 0.20. Analysis of cytoplasm:nucleus ratio and the adjacent predentine in relation to the chosen sectioning profiles disclosed that there was less variation in the predentine measurements in the longitudinal sections. Thus, in future two-dimensional studies of the odontoblast-predentine region only longitudinal sectioning profiles should be analysed. The use of advanced image processing on undemineralized tooth sections provides a rational foundation for further work on the reactions of the odontoblasts to external injuries including dental caries.

Analysis of Variance↗

Morphometric analysis of developing crowns of maxillary primary second molars and permanent first molars in humans.

The purpose of this study was firstly to characterize the changes occurring in size and form of the mineralizing maxillary second primary molar and first permanent molar crowns, and secondly to determine if similar changes in size and form characterize enamel apposition in the crowns of these teeth. Twenty-five primary second molars and 20 maxillary permanent first molars at various stages of development, found in archaeological excavations in Israel, were examined for a number of measured variables using image analyser software. Teeth were divided into two groups according to their stage of development: stage I included all teeth at an early stage of development in which mesiobuccal-cusp height was less than 5 mm for the primary molar and 5.9 mm for the permanent molar; stage 2 included all teeth in later stages of development where mesiobuccal-cusp height was greater than these values. In the primary molar, a significant increase was found between the two stages in almost all variables. Significant correlations were also found between all intercusp distances and the external variables. Strong correlations between height of the mesiobuccal cusp and all external and internal variables were noted in stage 1, but fewer in stage 2. In the permanent tooth, no increase was observed in intercusp distances and very few correlations were found between and among the variables. The results suggest that a change in the shape of the maxillary primary second molar occurs during formation, with the lingual cusp tips moving lingually and distally, and the distobuccal cusp tips moving distally. No change occurs in the shape of the maxillary permanent first molar during crown formation. Growth of the maxillary primary second and permanent first molar crowns occurs in 'bursts' of development.

Age Determination by Teeth↗

A radiographic assessment of enamel thickness in human maxillary incisors.

Crown sizes of human teeth are sexually dimorphic, with male larger than female. This holds for most human groups, though the extent of dimorphism varies among populations. It is not known whether size dimorphism is due to differences in enamel thickness, dentine differences, or some combination of the two. This study examined the pattern of variation in enamel thickness on the mesial and distal margins of the four maxillary permanent incisors. Standardized periapical radiographs of the incisors of 115 adolescent American whites were measured. Enamel was significantly thicker on the distal than the mesial margins of both the lateral and central incisors, with a mean difference of 0.1 mm. There was no sexual dimorphism in the maximum mesial or distal enamel thicknesses. In contrast, the widths of the dentine of the crowns were significantly greater in males, by an average of 6.5%. Sexual dimorphism in mesiodistal diameters of the incisors seems, then, to be due to the dentine component, which is the size attained at the end of the bell stage of tooth formation. Sex-specific correlations between enamel thickness and crown width of the dentine were low (and lower for males), indicating considerable independence between regulatory mechanisms of dentine and enamel development.

Adolescent↗