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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
The dentition and occlusal development in children of african american descent
1Howard University, Pediatric Dentistry Department, 635 G St, SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA. Aaa4131@aol.com
Objective:
The objectives of this study were to (1) determine normative dental arch dimensions (arch length [AL], arch width [AW], arch perimeter [AP], and amount of interdental space [IDS]) in the primary dentition of African American (AA) children; (2) compare the established normative arch dimensions in AA children with their European American (EA) cohorts; and (3) contrast a theoretical construct of mandibular transitional occlusal development between children of AA and EA descent on the basis of normative values.
Materials And Methods:
Two hundred seventeen sets of AA primary dental casts (110 boys, 107 girls) made from alginate impressions were measured and compared with historical EA standard values. Independent group t-tests were used to analyze sample differences.
Results:
AA children showed significant (P = .001) sex differences in each respective dental arch dimension with the exception of the mandibular canine AW. AA boys and girls revealed statistically larger (P = .001) arch dimensions (AP, AL, AW) and amounts of IDS compared with their EA cohorts.
Conclusions:
The total amount of IDS within the primary dental arches is approximately equal in AA boys and girls, but significant site-specific gender dimorphism existed. The primary dental arch dimensions of AA children were significantly larger than those of EA children in AW, AL, AP, and IDS.
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