title: Tooth size in patients with supernumerary teeth and a control group measured by image analysis system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare tooth size measurements between patients with supernumerary teeth and a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The supernumerary group consisted of 56 subjects (21 females and 35 males) and the control group of 40 subjects (20 females and 20 males). All available permanent teeth on the dental casts were imaged and measured from both buccal and occlusal views using an image analysis system. Mesio-distal, bucco-lingual or occluso-gingival dimensions, area and perimeter were measured from each view.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supernumerary tooth patients tended to have larger tooth size measurements for almost all variables than controls. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found for the mesio-distal dimension of the upper and lower incisors and the bucco-lingual dimensions of the lower first premolars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are compatible with supernumerary teeth being a complex dental anomaly with a multifactorial aetiology in which both genetic and environmental factors are important. There is some evidence of a local effect with greater differences in tooth dimension adjacent to the site of the supernumeraries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health and Development, University of Sheffield, School of Clinical Dentistry, Claremont Crescent, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S10 2TA, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khalaf
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elcock
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Brook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009811:Odontometry; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology*; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000473:pathology*