A retrospective analysis of maxillary tooth size variation in dentitions with palatal canine displacement among northern Indian female population

Palatally displaced maxillary canines are more prevalent among females than males. Many a times 3D CBCT facilities are not available, in that scenario findings of this study may be utilized as an adjunct to diagnose a PDC case more precisely. The aim is to ascertain the maxillary tooth size variation in dentitions with palatal canine displacement among northern Indian female population. This retrospective study was executed by the Department of Orthodontics, KD Dental College from 1 st January 2015 to 31 st December 2015. In this study a total of 100 subjects (50 cases and 50 controls) were studied. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical examination and standardized radiographs and confirmed visually at the time of surgical exposure. Bilateral and Unilateral Subjects were analyzed using study model casts for measuring the M-D and B-L dimensions of the maxillary dentition using a Digital Verniercaliper. Among 50 cases in the PDC sample examined there were 66.0% cases were unilateral and remaining 34.0% were bilateral. In unilaterally affected cases of PDC, there are no M–D or B–L size differences between the central and lateral incisors on the affected and unaffected sides. All the maxillary teeth in PDC subjects were significantly narrower (Bucco -Lingually) as compared to controls. The tooth which presented the highest significance and consistency in bucco lingual narrowing was the lateral incisor. The maxillary first premolars and molars were significantly smaller (M-D and B-L) as compared to the controls in PDC subjects. Statistically significant differences were observed between unilateral and bilateral affected PDC cases in this study. Positive association between tooth size reduction and occurrence of PDC was observed. Findings emerging out of this study i.e. tooth size variation may be utilized as an additional diagnostic tool in resource constrained settings to determine the position of the canine in canine displacement cases.