Mixed-dentition analysis in a Turkish population

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Anthropology

Background:

• Accurate prediction of unerupted canine and premolar tooth sizes is crucial for orthodontic treatment planning.
• The Tanaka-Johnston mixed-dentition analysis is a widely used method, but its applicability across diverse ethnic populations requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of the Tanaka-Johnston mixed-dentition analysis in a Turkish pediatric population.
• To develop and validate new population-specific regression equations for predicting unerupted canine and premolar mesiodistal dimensions in Turkish children.

Main Methods:

• Mesiodistal tooth dimensions were measured on dental casts of 12- to 14-year-old Turkish children.
• Actual measurements were compared to predictions from the Tanaka-Johnston equation.
• Newly derived regression equations were validated on a separate group of 50 Turkish children.

Main Results:

• The Tanaka-Johnston regression equations significantly overestimated the actual mesiodistal widths of permanent canines and premolars in the study cohort.
• The newly developed regression equations demonstrated no statistically significant difference between predicted and actual tooth widths.

Conclusions:

• The standard Tanaka-Johnston mixed-dentition analysis is not accurate for predicting unerupted tooth sizes in Turkish individuals.
• The novel, population-adjusted regression equations developed in this research offer a reliable method for predicting canine and premolar dimensions in Turkish children.