Comparison between the dimensions of lateral incisor crowns adjacent to unerupted palatally displaced and nondisplaced canine.

Aim: To compare the dimensions of lateral incisor crowns adjacent to unerupted palatally displaced and nondisplaced permanent maxillary canines.

Methods: The sample consisted of 36 children between 10 and 12 years of age with unerupted maxillary canines. Each presented with a unilaterally palatally displaced (with respect to the lateral incisor) canine. The lateral incisor next to the palatally displaced canine was considered the experimental tooth; the tooth on the contralateral side was considered the control tooth. Measurements were crown width (mesiodistal), thickness (labiopalatal), taper (convergence of the crown toward the incisal edge), taper type, and crown length.

Results: No association was found between the experimental and control lateral incisors for crown width and thickness. However, a significant correlation was found for crown taper (P=.048) and length (P=.01). The experimental lateral incisors had a higher mean crown taper (0.54 mm) than the controls (0.24 mm). The mean crown length was smaller for the experimental lateral incisors (6.74 mm) than the control ones (7.55 mm).

Conclusion: There is a significantly greater possibility of finding lateral incisors with greater crown taper and shorter length next to palatally displaced canines. However, there is no significant difference in crown width or thickness.