title: The dentition and occlusal development in children of african american descent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to (1) determine normative dental arch dimensions (arch length [AL], arch width [AW], arch perimeter [AP], and amount of interdental space [IDS]) in the primary dentition of African American (AA) children; (2) compare the established normative arch dimensions in AA children with their European American (EA) cohorts; and (3) contrast a theoretical construct of mandibular transitional occlusal development between children of AA and EA descent on the basis of normative values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred seventeen sets of AA primary dental casts (110 boys, 107 girls) made from alginate impressions were measured and compared with historical EA standard values. Independent group t-tests were used to analyze sample differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AA children showed significant (P = .001) sex differences in each respective dental arch dimension with the exception of the mandibular canine AW. AA boys and girls revealed statistically larger (P = .001) arch dimensions (AP, AL, AW) and amounts of IDS compared with their EA cohorts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The total amount of IDS within the primary dental arches is approximately equal in AA boys and girls, but significant site-specific gender dimorphism existed. The primary dental arch dimensions of AA children were significantly larger than those of EA children in AW, AL, AP, and IDS.
authors.affiliation: Howard University, Pediatric Dentistry Department, 635 G St, SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA. Aaa4131@aol.com
authors.forename: Arnett A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous; D044465:White People