title: Lower incisor space analysis: a contrast of methods.
abstract: Two current methods to assess spacing-crowding among lower anterior teeth are described and contrasted. These are the anterior space analysis of Merrifield and the irregularity index of Little. There is only a modest correlation between these methods (rs = +0.53) because they provide complementary information; space analysis is more attuned to tooth displacements while the irregularity index is susceptible to axiversions. Cases illustrating major divergences between the two methods are illustrated.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology*; D003970:Diastema / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods