Relating Central Incisor to Inner Canthal Distance - A Flexible Approach Adaptable to Different Population Groups

Abstract

Purpose: Knowing the fact that human body is bilaterally symmetrical, the facial profile is also bilaterally symmetrical, and hence the proportions applying to one medial part of face can be extended to the other parts too. Keeping this in mind the aim was to explore whether inner canthal distance (ICD) can be related to central incisor width (CIW). Material & Method: ICD and CIW of the 309 samples were measured along with their age and gender. Age and gender corrected standard curves were plotted between ICD and CIW to formulate a linear correlation. After obtaining the standard curves, the coefficients for age and ICD were obtained separately for both the sexes in the form of equation y = α + β 1 a 1 + β 2 a 2 where y=Calculated CIW (CCIW), is the constant, β 1 and β 2 are the coefficients derived for age and ICD respectively. Result: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in CIW and CCIW. The interquartile range of differences was within 0.5 mm for both the genders. Conclusion: By using the variable, inner canthal distance can be used as a predictor of CIW. The method can successfully be used for treatment planning amongst edentulous subjects.