Conventional methods for selecting form, size, and color of maxillary anterior teeth: Review of the literature

Abstract

One of the most confusing and difficult aspects of complete denture prosthodontics is the selection of appropriately maxillary anterior denture teeth when no preextraction records are available. Dental literature indicates that varied methods have been proposed for artificial tooth selection. The aim of this article is to review the conventional methods for maxillary anterior tooth selection and their reliabilities. A search of the dental literature in PubMed was completed for the years 1955–2015 with an emphasize on peer-reviewed dental journals limited to studies in the English language and using tooth selection and complete denture as keywords. The study works on three aspects of tooth selection: (1) Form, (2) size, and (3) color. This review of the literature demonstrates no universally reliable method of determining form and color for maxillary anterior denture teeth. But, interalar distance, interpupillary distance, and distance between the medialis angles of the eyes appear to be a reliable guide for selecting the size of maxillary anterior teeth. Information of racial differences may help identify esthetic modifications to treatment plans to include the multiple racial groups within modern societies.