Clinical crown height (length)--a review of published measurements

Clinical crown height is an objective measure of the position of the gingival margin which could be used in determining the 'normal' position of the gingival margin. The aim of this study was to do a systematic review of published clinical crown heights in the human permanent dentition to compare the measurements and to see if a clear trend with age exists.

An on-line literature search was done using the key words clinical crown height (or) clinical crown length. From January 1975 to August 2000, 11 published papers have listed measurements; three of these report on all tooth types, the remainder on anterior teeth.

All studies used the same measuring technique but age group reporting differed as did the tooth types measured. Measurements from the 10 acceptable studies of the clinical crown height of the same teeth are comparable at similar ages, so published values are reasonable estimates of 'normality' for diagnosis. There is a statistically significant increase in clinical crown height of central and lateral incisors with age that slows as age increases.