Interocclusal distance: a comparison between American Caucasians and Negroes

Cephalometric analyses were performed on groups of American Negro and Caucasian subjects to establish whether or not there were differences in interocclusal distance attributable to ethnic origin. Statistically significant differences were found between the mean interocclusal distances of the two treatment groups, supporting the hypothesis that American Negroes have an average interocclusal distance which is less than that of Caucasians. The findings of this study support the concept that fixing the interocclusal distance at 3 mm. for all complete and partial denture patients is not justified.