CLINICAL MEASUREMENT OF PROXIMAL CONTACT AREAS OF MAXILLARY ANTERIOR DENTITION

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to establish a database detailing the apico-incisal dimensions of proximal contact areas (PCA) and their corresponding proximal contact area proportions (PCAP) for maxillary anterior teeth (MAT).

Methods: This morphometric cross-sectional study involved 200 healthy participants was conducted at Lahore Medical & Dental College. A Digital Vernier Caliper (6-inch, 150 mm) was utilized and the clinical measurements were directly taken within each participant's oral cavity. Clinical parameters, the heights of PCAs and clinical crowns from the right to the left maxillary premolar, were recorded. PCAP values were derived using the formula: PCAP = (Height of mesial PCA of the corresponding tooth / Crown Length) × 100.

Results: A total of 1400 interdental sites (7 per participant) were measured. The statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship between age, gender, and the heights of proximal contact areas (P > 0.05). According to the Paired sample t-test, PCA dimensions exhibited significant differences on both sides of each tooth (P value < 0.0001). Mesial contacts areas were larger than distal contacts for each anterior tooth. 

Conclusion: The study's findings showed a bilateral decrease in mean PCA and PCAP values as one moves away from the midline. Mean PCA values for contacts between central incisors, central-lateral incisors, and lateral incisor-canine were measured at 4 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm, respectively. The generated database serves as a valuable guide for clinicians, aiding them in achieving optimal outcomes in restorative dentistry.