title: Pattern of maxillary and mandibular proximal enamel thickness at the contact area of the permanent dentition from first molar to first molar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Proximal enamel thickness (PET) at the mesial and distal contact areas of the complete permanent dentition has not been previously reported. Anatomic investigation of PET is essential for interproximal reduction treatment. Our objectives were to measure the PETs of the complete maxillary and mandibular dentitions at the contact areas, to compare the PETs of adjacent teeth, and to evaluate the vertical position of each contact area.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 720 extracted teeth; of these, 109 intact teeth were selected. The mesial and distal contact areas were demarcated, and each tooth was embedded in transparent epoxy resin. Blocks were prepared so that the 2 demarcated contact areas were exposed, and 6 measurements were taken and statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both jaws showed the same PET pattern characterized by 5 features: PET increased progressively from incisor (0.63 mm) to first molar (1.48 mm). Per tooth, mesial and distal PET did not differ. Total maxillary (26.86 mm) and mandibular (24.52 mm) PETs were similar. Paired PETs at the interproximal interface were similar, with the exception of the lateral incisor-canine interfaces. From incisor to first molar, the contact area becomes located farther gingivally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The existing guideline of maximal 0.5-mm interproximal reduction per 2 adjacent teeth should be kept in the anterior region and could be increased to 1 mm in the posterior region, when an equal amount is removed.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Dan David Center for Human Evolution and Biohistory, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and National Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Electronic address: sarigrac@post.tau.ac.il.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarig
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Alexander D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vardimon
authors.affiliation: Formerly, resident, Department of Orthodontics, the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Celine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sussan
authors.affiliation: Instructor, Department of Orthodontics, the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benny
authors.affiliation: Instructor, Department of Orthodontics, the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sarne
authors.affiliation: Professsor, Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, the Sackler Faculty of Medicine; Dan David Center for Human Evolution and Biohistory, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History and National Research Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hershkovitz
authors.affiliation: Chair, Department of Orthodontics, the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shpack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019243:Enamel Microabrasion / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult