Introduction

Selecting and arranging artificial anterior teeth for edentulous patients is difficult when pre-extraction records are not available. Errors at this stage can often result in patient rejection of otherwise well-constructed, comfortable and efficient dentures [1]. In an effort to solve this problem, various aesthetics guidelines have been suggested for selecting artificial teeth for edentulous patients and maximizing the likelihood of an attractive outcome. The first theory ever introduced for artificial anterior teeth selection was the temporomental theory [2]. Afterwards, Williams [3,4] suggested that a correlation existed between the upside-down facial shape and the shape of the upper central incisors. Frush and Fisher [5-7] introduced the dentogenic theory on the basis of sex, personality and age (SPA) of each individual. Nelson and Lowery [8,9] proposed that a close relationship existed between face , tooth and tooth arch form (hard palate form) . Williams [4] also suggested that a correlation existed between the facial sizes and size of the natural maxillary central incisor. The objective of the present study was conducted to investigate the accuracy of the new device called “facial indicator” in choosing anterior teeth in edentulous patients of two different ethnic groups, Arabs & Non-Arabs (Persians) by attempting to prove the existence of a direct relationship between the facial sizes and the size of the natural maxillary central incisor. The null hypotheses were that there is difference between the dimensions of the facial sizes and the size of the natural maxillary central incisor in Arabs & Non- Arabs (Persians) population.

Materials & Methods

Selection criteria

A cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 4 months for female students of AUST University College in Ajman/ UAE.

The participants are selected according to the following criteria’s:

1. Female students.
2. Complete maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth.
3. No periodontal diseases.
4. No spacing and crowding in anterior maxillary teeth.
5. No history of orthodontic treatments.
6. No intruded, extruded or rotated teeth in the anterior region

Study sample

Using these criteria, 90 female students from Ajman University for Science & Technology were selected for evaluation represented the population main ethnics (45 Arabs and 45 Persians). Their mean average age was 18 – 28 years.

Clinical protocols

All volunteers participated in the research signed clarifies consent form prior to their participation which included the nature of the project and declared the confidentiality of all information. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Ajman University of Science & Technology, Human Research Ethics Committee.

Measurement Tools

Impression

Irreversible hydrocolloid impression of the maxillary arches were made in stock trays and poured with type IV dental stone.

Digital Caliper

Facial Indicator

Measurements of widths and heights were made directly on participants using the facial indicator (Figure 4).

The facial indicator is an analogic instrument that allows to carry the choice out following the method found starting from Williams JL [4] up to E Pound, which method is part of scientific literature. Facial indicator is made by an Italian company called MAJOR PRODOTTI DENTARI S.p.A [10].

Position of the Facial Indicator

1. Put the indicator on the patient face anteriorly, the patient’s nose should lean on the hole of the indicator (Figure 5,6).
2. Center the upper horizontal black draw in lie with hair junction or first wrinkle in case of bald patient. Pay attention in case of hair loss in the front area as it can deceive .
3. Place the vertical lateral black line draw in line with the patient’s right zygoma.
4. The facial indicator is rightly positioned, pay attention in order not to lose the position during the controls and data research.

Data Collection & Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis were carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0 ) with the level of Significance α = 0.05 and Degree of confidence d = 0.95. Descriptive statistics was done for the dimensions of width and height of maxillary central incisor. Descriptive statistics was done for the dimensions of width and height of face. One sample t-test was used to test the significance of the differences between the obtained values of two different groups. Independent samples test was used to compare width between Arabs and Non-Arabs and Height as well for both. A level of significance was set at 95%.

Results

Comparison of the dimensions of maxillary central incisor and the dimension of the faces by using facial indicator, revealed that there was a significant statistical difference (p >0.05). The Interclass Correlation Coefficient is shown in Table 1. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the comparison between a device and casts for the widths and height dimensions in both ethnics detailing mean values and standard deviations obtained by two different methods in total samples and presented in Table 2. Onesample t-test statistics was used for the assessment of widths and height of maxillary central incisor in both ethnics. There were significant difference in width (P = 0.019 > 0.05) while there was no significant differences in height (P = 0.138 < 0.05 ) among Arabs and Non- Arabs included in this study . Data is shown in Table 3. More details about correlation of width in each ethnic group and correlation of height in each ethnic group were demonstrated in Table 4,5 sequentially. Table 6 shows mean values and standard deviations for the widths and heights dimensions obtained by two different methods in each ethnic group.

Discussion

Different authors from Pound as regards the definition method of teeth dimension till more recent confirmation Michigan University 1985 Dr. Brobelth, Maroscufis, Ricci who showed the correctness of the method in more than 80% of examined cases , confirmed the existence of direct relationship among some individual facial sizes and the size of the natural maxillary central incisor (11/12). It means that even in edentulous case, it is possible to trace on the patient’s face , the data relevant to original shape of the natural teeth , especially for the central incisor . the size choosing , according to E. Pound’s method, is based on 2 parameters : the height , measured from hair junction or from first wrinkle to bone symphsis, the natural tooth widths is equal 1/6 of the face width , measured between the two cheek bones (Figure 7). One sample t-test statistics was used for the assessment of width and height of maxillary central incisor in both ethnics. There were significant differences in width (P=0.019 > 0.05) while there was no significant differences in height (P = 0.138 < 0.05) among Arabs and Non Arabs included in this study.

Ahmed A and et al. [11] did same experiment on Arabs male sample concluding different result. The data distribution in Table 6 shows mean of ethnics revealed that Non-Arabs have more square shaped central incisors (μ of widths = 8.4 mm, μ of Heights = 8.4 mm) compared to Arabs (μ of widths = 8.3 mm , μ of Heights = 8.7 mm). Results were close showing more reliability into two ethnic groups. Data of mean in a research article by Ahmed A and et al. [11] shows μ=8.2 for widths of males and μ=9.1 for heights, which means arab male sample has high central incisors than arab female sample. This study revealed a fact , in which the dimensions of the face is not reflecting the dimensions of the anterior teeth , for example in some volunteers , the face was wide but the width of central incisor was too narrow and vice versa. In the present study limitations such as Time constraints and the exclusion criteria restricted the number of volunteers who could be recruited into the study.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions can be made:

1. There is no a highly defined correlation between the size of central incisor and the size of the face (p> 0.05).
2. A direct relationship between the facial width and the widths of the natural maxillary central incisors was found, while there is no relation between the lengths of the face with the length of the central incisors.
3. Ethnic Variation has no association with the use of the facial indicator.
4. Dimensions of the face is not reflecting the dimensions of the anterior teeth.
5. Modifications on the facial indicator are necessary to give more accurate readings in future according to selecting sizes of anterior teeth in edentulous patients.
6. We authors believe that any experimental instrument including this study device is designed to give a close result to an instructor about use of it , although there is no fabricated instrument can give 100% precise and accurate readings but it can reach a very close and proximate results, regarding making work easier for both instructors and populations.

Further Works

The suggesting of future works and improvements that may be in account for this project is to increase sample size, involve more population and ethnics , compare our methodology to other similar researches of recording of length and width .

Acknowledgment

Our great respect, honor and gratitude to our Allah were his graciousness lets us reach this stage of life and giving us an opportunity to be where we are today and also being able to successfully execute this project. We would like to thank our Parents for giving us the chance to be what we are today. Our great thanks and respect to Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Al Marzooq for guiding us into this project. Special thanks to Dr. Faahim Rashid for assisting us in statistical analysis of our data. And finally, big thanks to all the 90 volunteers involved in this study, without them this would not have been done.

1. Bell RA (1978) The geometric theory of selection of artificial teeth: iS it valid? J Am dent Assoc 97(4): 637-640.
2. White JW (1884) Temporomental theory in relation to the teeth. Dental Cosmos 26:113-120.
3. Williams JL (1914) The temporomental selection of artificial teeth, fallacy. Dent Digest 20: 63-75.
4. Williams JL (1914) A new classification of human tooth with special reference to a new system of artificial teeth. Dental Cosmos 56:627-636
5. Frush JP, Fisher RD (1956) How dentogenic restorations interpret the personality factor. J Prosthet Dent 6(4): 441-449.
6. Frush JP, Fisher RD (1956) How dentogenic restorations interpret the sex factor. J Prosthet Dent 6(2): 160- 172.
7. Frush JP, Fisher RD (1957) The age factor in dentogenics. J Prosthet Dent 7(1): 5-8.
8. Nelson AA (1922) The Aesthetic Triangle in the Arrangement of Teeth: Face Form, tooth Form, and Alignment Form, Harmonious or Grotesque. JADA 9(5): 392- 401.
9. Lowery PC (1921) Art and esthetics as applied to prosthetics. Dental Cosmos 63: 1223-1226.
10. www.majordental.com
11. Ahmed A, Mohammed M, Ibrahim A (2015) Use of Facial Indicator for Choosing Anterior Teeth. Adv Dent & Oral Health 1(2): 1-6.

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  Figure 1: Digital Caliper.

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  Figure 2: Measuring Height of incisor tooth.

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  Figure 3: Measuring width of incisor tooth.

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  Figure 4: Facial indicator.

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  Figure 5: Position of facial indicator on the volunteer face.

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  Figure 6: Comparison in width and height in each ethnic group, based on standard methods.

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  Figure 7: Width (L) and Height (H) gained by facial indicator.

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  Table 1: ANOVA table for Interclass Correlation Coefficient of Width and Height.

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  Table 2: ANOVA table for Mean of width and height of two different methods in total sample.

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  Table 3: ANOVA table for Comparison of width and height of maxillary central incisor in both ethnics.

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  Table 4: Interclass Correlation Coefficient (width) in each ethnic group.

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  Table 5: Interclass Correlation Coefficient (Height) in each ethnic group.

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  Table 6: ANOVA table for Mean of Width and Height in each ethnic group.