Applicability of tooth size predictions in the mixed dentition analysis in a Kenyan sample

Abstract

Mixed denticentition space analysis forms a critical aspect of early orthodo However, the applicability of these methods in other ethnic groups has been varied and questionable. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the Tanaka and Johnston (1974) and the Moyers (1988) methods in a Kenyan sample. Mesio-distal tooth widths of 131 sets of dental casts obtained from randomly selected patients (50 males; 81 females) attending Kenyatta National Hospital were measured. The mean sum of the four mandibular incisors was used to determine the sum of canine and the two premolars in one quadrant. The predicted values of the mesio-distal widths were statistically compared with their respective actual sum of the canine and premolars of the same quadrants. The results of paired t tests and scatterplots indicated that there were highly significant differences (p<0.003) between actual measurements (Σ 3, 4 & 5) and their accurate among the non-radiographic prediction methods in the mixed dentition analysis in the Kenyan sample. treatment. The two most widely used non-radiographic tooth size prediction methods were derived from populations of Northern European ancestry. predicted values from Moyers (1988) prediction method except at 85% and/or 95% confidence levels. However, Tanaka and Johnston (1974) failed to show any statistically significant differences for either sex and combined sexes at p<0.05. The Tanaka and Johnston (1974) method was the most SAMPLE .