Uses:
(1) forensic anthropology: reconstruction of facial features from skull dimensions
(2) cosmetic dentistry
(3) evaluation of patients with scleroderma or perioral burns
Definitions:
(1) Mouth width is the distance from chelion to chelion with the mouth relaxed.
(2) Inter-canine distance is the distance between the most lateral aspects of the canines.
ratio of intercanine width to resting mouth width =
= 0.758
mouth width in cm =
= (intercanine width in cm) / 0.758
If the race and gender of the person is known, the following more specific factors can be used.
|
Race
|
Gender
|
Factor
|
|
East Asian
|
male
|
0.766
|
|
East Asian
|
female
|
0.799
|
|
European
|
male
|
0.752
|
|
European
|
female
|
0.747
|
|
other
|
NA
|
0.731
|
Limitations:
• An asymmetrical position of the mouth relative to the teeth could affect the accuracy of a reconstruction.
• The study was based on 93 subjects, but the ages were not stated. The results should apply to adults but I am not sure about the young or elderly.
• I am not sure if there is any difference in the inter-canine measurements for the maxillary or mandibular canines.
• The study was done based on photographs. If the measurement was done directly on the person then the slight curvature of the teeth would need to be accounted for.
• The study assumes normal dentition. Severe abnormalities of the dentition and malocclusion would invalidate the method.
