Interalar Distance to Estimate the Combined Width of the Six Maxillary Anterior Teeth in Oral Rehabilitation Treatment

ABSTRACT Statement of the Problem: The face's architecture of dentate subjects has been studied to find a reliable guide for the selection of artificial anterior teeth. However, there is no consensus of data regarding a reference to estimate the width of artificial teeth. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze whether there is a consistent relationship between the interalar distance (IAD) and the combined mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth. Methods: Standardized digital photographs of 81 dentate Brazilian subjects were included in the sample. They were 37 men and 44 women (age 17 to 33). Through image processing software, the IAD and the distance between the tips of the maxillary canines were measured when viewed from the frontal aspect. Accurate casts were made to quantify the distance between the distal surfaces of the maxillary canines on a curve, by use of a flexible millimeter ruler. Nonparametric statistics were performed to analyze the results (p