title: Determination of physical height from crown dimensions of deciduous tooth: A dental morphometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental morphometrics is a subject of great significance in forensic odontology in identification of an individual. Use of teeth to represent a physical profile is valuable for identification of an individual.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aims to assess the clinical crown length (CL) of erupted deciduous teeth and height of the child. A correlation of these parameters was attempted to arrive at a mathematical equation which would formulate a ratio of tooth CL to individual height that would support in estimating the probable height of the child.
  
  
  METHODS
  About 60 children (30 males and 30 females) of age ranged from 3-6 years were included in this study. Clinical vertical CLs of the deciduous dentition (tooth numbers 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55) were calculated using digital Vernier calipers (Aerospace Ltd., Bengaluru, Karnataka, India) on the cast models. Child height was measured using a standard measuring tape. Ratios of deciduous CL to height of the child were recorded. Linear stepwise forward regression analysis was applied to predict the probability of CL of a tooth most likely to support in prediction of physical height of the child.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tabulated results showed a probable correlation between tooth CL and height of the child. Tooth CLs of deciduous upper right second molar (55) among the males, lateral incisor (52) among females, and canine (53) using the combined male and female data were statistically significant, and they approximately predicted the child height with minimal variations. Mathematically derived equations based on linear stepwise forward regression analysis using sixty children data are height prediction (derived from combined data of male and female children) = 400.558 + 90.264 (53 CL), male child height prediction (derived from data of male children) = 660.290 + 72.970 (55 CL), and female child height prediction (derived from data of female children) = -187.942 + 194.818 (52 CL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, clinical vertical CL is an important parameter in prediction of individual height and possible identification of the individual. An extension of the similar technique to all the deciduous dentition using a larger group of children would probably give us the best options available among vertical CLs for prediction of the child height.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dr. Shamala Reddy Dental College Hospital and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramanna
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Dr. Shamala Reddy Dental College Hospital and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Venkatesh V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Kamath
authors.affiliation: Former Lecturer, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sharada
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Srikanth
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000033:anatomy & histology*