Bizygomatic width for selection of denture teeth in four races

Objectives: To evaluate the use of the bizygomatic width for the selection of complete denture maxillary anterior teeth width in 4 racial groups. Methods: The bizygomatic widths (BW) of 160 dentate subjects (40 Caucasians, 40 African Americans, 40 Mulattos and 40 Asians) were measured using a modified face-bow and a digital sliding caliper. Artificial stone casts were made from impressions of the maxillary arches. The combined width of the 6 anterior teeth (CAW) and the curve distance between the distal surfaces of the canines (CDC) were measured on the casts. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the linear correlation between BW and CAW and between BW and CDC. The numeric relationship quotients between the measurements were calculated by dividing the values of BW by the values of CAW and CDC. The prediction of selection errors (in millimeters) due to the use of those quotients were calculated using the confidence interval of 95%. Results: In all racial groups, a weak correlation was found between the measurements obtained for the BW and for the teeth. In general, the lowest and the highest correlation coefficients (r) obtained were 0.154 and 0.464, respectively. The relationship between the BW with CAW and CDC resulted in mean quotients of 2.9 and 2.6, respectively. The use of these quotients would generate selection errors clinically significants (higher than 4 mm) in about 75% of the subjects of the populations studied. Conclusions: The bizygomatic width should not be used alone to predict the width of the anterior teeth for edentulous patients of the 4 racial groups studied. The quotients of 2.9 and 2.6 could be used only as an initial guide for predicting the CAW and CDC from the BW.