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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Measuring Maxillary Posterior Tooth Movement: A Model Assessment using Palatal and Dental Superimposition
Published on: February 23, 2024
Translucency of newly extracted maxillary central incisors at nine locations
Fang Xiong1, YongLie Chao, ZhiMin Zhu
1Department of Dental Technology, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Statement Of Problem:
In addition to color, translucency is one of the primary factors influencing the esthetics of a dental prosthesis. Due to difficulties in measuring the translucency of natural teeth, minimal data are available.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to measure the translucency of newly extracted maxillary central incisors and analyze the relationship between translucency, anatomic location, and age.
Material And Methods:
The translucency of 32 newly extracted maxillary central incisors was measured with a spectrocolorimeter (PR-650) at 9 locations on the tooth crown. These locations were identified by dividing the tooth incisally to cervically and medially to laterally in equal dimensions. The relationships between transmittance, locations, and age were analyzed by univariate analysis of variance (alpha=.05).
Results:
The transmittance of maxillary central incisors ranged from 0.13% to 0.65%, which decreased from incisal to cervical (P<.05). Age also affected transmittance in certain locations of the crown; older teeth demonstrated higher transmittance (P<.05).
Conclusions:
Transmittance of the maxillary central incisor was variable at different locations of the crown and was positively correlated with age.
