Intra-maxillary Tooth Width Ratios and Mesiodistal Crown Dimensions of the Permanent Dentition in a Tanzanian Population

Aim: The present study aimed to establish the mesiodistal crown dimension and intra-maxillary tooth width ratios of permanent teeth in a Tanzanian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Muhimbili University Dental Clinic involving 204 orthodontic study models with normal intra-arch occlusion. The mesiodistal width of all the permanent teeth, excluding the second and third molars, was measured using a digital Vernier caliper. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Tooth width means comparison between sexes and sides was performed using an independent t-test with the significance level set at P<0.05. Intra-arch tooth width ratios, correlation of variance, and mesiodistal tooth width means were calculated and presented in descriptive statistic tables. Results: The widest tooth was the first lower molar (11.55 mm), followed by the upper first molar (10.53 mm) and upper central incisor (9.22 mm). The smallest teeth were the central incisors in the lower jaw (5.67 mm) and the second premolar in the upper jaw (7.12 mm). Males had statistically wider teeth than females in all teeth except the second premolars and upper lateral incisor (P<0.05). The proportions of the upper laterals to upper central incisors were 80.5% and 81.3% in males and females, respectively. Furthermore, the ratio of the upper first premolar to that of the upper canine was 96.3% in females and 93.6% in males. Conclusion: Odontometrics data for the Tanzanian population was determined. The derived measurements were relatively higher compared to those reported in most other populations.