Gender differences in the form of maxillary central incisors analyzed using AutoCAD software

Abstract

Female teeth are considered more rounded and male teeth more quadrangular. Although lacking in scientific support, this theory helps in selecting the mold of artificial teeth for dentures. Parameters that are more reliable are sought to determine gender differences in tooth form. The purpose of this study was to assess possible differences between genders in terms of tooth form: oval, triangular, or quadrangular. The sample comprised 433 subjects with a mean age of 15 years selected from a population of Brazilian high school students. The maxillary right central incisor (MCI) of each subject was photographed. The images were adjusted to standardize the long axis of the tooth in the vertical position. The AutoCAD computer program was used to analyze graphically the geometric form of the tooth. According to analysis results, form was classified as oval, triangular, or quadrangular. Intraexaminer consistency was analyzed by using linear correlation coefficient and Bland Altman analysis. The relationship between gender and tooth form was analyzed by chi-square and linear regression (α=.05). In women, the form was 57.73% (n=127) oval, 23.54% (n=52) triangular, and 18.64% (n=41) quadrangular; while in men, the form was 54.93% (n=117) oval, 36.15% (n=77) triangular, and 8.92% (n=19) quadrangular (P<.001). The oval form was the most prevalent in both genders. However, the triangular form was more common in men than in women, and the quadrangular form more frequent in women than in men.