A study of the use of photographs for denture tooth selection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to examine a method described by Wehner et al for calculating the width of a missing central incisor using preextraction photographs.


METHODS
Three photographic views were obtained for each of 30 dentate subjects: full face, oblique, and reduced-size full face. The width of the maxillary right central incisor (MR1) was calculated using a formula. The difference between the actual width and calculated width of MR1 was determined for each subject. The median difference and interquartile range were determined because the data were skewed.


RESULTS
The width of MR1 calculated using the larger full-face view was typically smaller than the actual width, with a median difference of -0.18 mm. The interquartile range of the difference was from -0.42 to 0.05 mm. For both the oblique and reduced-size views, the calculated width was typically larger, with a median difference of 1.19 mm with an interquartile range from 0.82 to 1.76 mm and a median difference of 0.84 mm with an interquartile range from 0.59 to 1.41 mm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique described by Wehner et al is of proven value in calculating the width of a central incisor when the only available evidence is a preextraction photograph. However, it is of value only when the photograph is a full-face portrait of sufficient size.
Bindra
B
B
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute, United Kingdom. banoo@bigfoot.com
Basker
R M
RM
Besford
J N
JN
D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007909:Lenses; D008437:Maxilla; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014093:Tooth, Artificial