Abstract

Introduction: Tooth morphometrics show variations across gender, phenotypes, race, age and populations. These variations are evolutionarily determined but maybe modified by environmental factors such as socioeconomic conditions, nutrition, childhood health, maternal effects such as gestation and systemic conditions. Despite strong genetic contribution, the tooth may fail to reach its maximum potential size due to the role of environmental influences. A relation between tooth size and body size would compound the notion that teeth size, though dependent on genetic contribution, are not insulated from external influences. Previously attempts to corelate tooth size and body size by other authors have shown differing results. There is also a dearth of information regarding the same on deciduous dentition. Hence this study aims to corelate Body Mass Index (BMI) and clinical crown length (CL), mesiodistal width (MDW) and buccolingual width (BLW) of primary maxillary canines and first molars, among Chennai children. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 school going children, of both genders, in the age group of 3-6 years. Weight and height were calculated by metric standards and BMI was obtained. The participants were grouped as healthy, underweight and overweight. The different groups were measured intraorally, with a digital Vernier caliper for crown lengths, mesiodistal and buccolingual widths of primary upper canines and molars. Data was statistically analyzed. Results: Total of 49,22,18 belong to healthy, underweight and overweight. Comparison of the mean (SD) of CL, MDW, BLW of upper primary canine and first molar among participants of different body size using one-way ANOVA test was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: A positive correlation exists a between body mass index and tooth metrics. Evident deciduous crown size variations of individuals of different BMI belonging to the same population should be taken into consideration while studying population comparisons of different odontometric standards.

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