A STUDY ON THE SIZE OF THE DECIDUOUS TEETH

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Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2002;29(3):382-388.
Published online August 31, 2002.

A STUDY ON THE SIZE OF THE DECIDUOUS TEETH

유치의 치아크기에 관한 연구

백병주, 전소희, 김재곤, 김영신

전북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학교실 및 구강생체과학연구소

Abstract

In the present study, crown diameters and their sexual differences in deciduous teeth were investigated in children of Chon-ju city, Korea. Plaster casts of the deciduous dentitions obtained from 50 boys and 50 girls were examined. Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown diameters were measured using a digital caliper(0.01mm) according to the definitions of Seipel and Moorees et al. These measurements were performed three times, and intra-observer measurement errors were calculated by the single determination method. The crown index, module and area were calculated in order to provide a comparison of crown proportions. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The mean values of intra-observer measurement errors were 0.255mm and are unlikely to have influenced the statistical analysis. 2. The mean values of mesiodistal and buccolingual crown diameters examined were larger in boys than girls. 3. The mean coefficient of variation was 5.6 in the deciduous dentition. There were a trend for the primary second molar to be the least variable in size of all teeth both in boys and girls. 4. Fluctuating asymmetry is the difference between left and right antimeres in individuals. Primary second molars were less asymmetrical than primary first molars in both dimensions. 5. In maxillary teeth, Crown index is larger in boys than in girls. In contrast, in mandibular teeth, except primary canine, it is larger in girls than in boys. Crown module is larger in boys than in girls and increased progressively from primary first incisor to primary second molar. Crown area is consistently larger in boys than in girls. The minimum crown area is mandibular primary incisor and maximum crown area is maxillary primary second molar.

Key Words: Intra-observer measurement errors, Crown diameters, Coefficient of variation, Fluctuating asymmetry