Sex-specific reference values for the crown heights of permanent anterior teeth and canines for assessing tooth wear

Abstract

Objective: We propose sex-specific reference values for the clinical crown height of anterior teeth and canines. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1426 teeth were analysed from 169 undergraduate and postgraduate dental students (83 women and 86 men, median age 22 years). Teeth with worn or totally restored incisal edges, or gingival inflammation were excluded. Age, gender and body height were recorded and the degree of tooth wear was scored according to the quantification module of the Tooth Wear Evaluation System. The clinical crown heights of all anterior teeth and canines were measured from the gingival margin to the incisal edge with a digital calliper. Reference values for tooth groups were obtained at the percentiles 10, and expressed by sex if there was a significant difference between men and women. Results: Mean crown heights were bigger in men than in women for each tooth group (p = .028). Clinical crown heights showed sexual dimorphism at the 10th percentiles for all tooth groups except for mandibular anterior teeth. Conclusions: For assessing tooth wear, the sex-specific reference values for the clinical crown height of young adults Caucasoids range from 7.5 mm to 9.0 mm in women and from 7.5 mm to 9.5 in men.