A Radiographic Study of the Root-to-Crown Ratio of Natural Permanent Teeth in 81 Saudi Adults

BACKGROUND The ratio between a tooth root and its crown is an essential diagnostic parameter that determines treatment options. This radiographic study used panoramic dental radiographs or orthopantograms to measure the mean root (R)-to-crown (C) ratios (R/C) of the permanent teeth in 81 Saudi adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 81 panoramic radiographs of Saudi adult patients (40 males and 41 females) previously treated in the College of Dentistry, Saudi Arabia, aged 16-35 years, were selected. The crown height and root length for each tooth were measured on the digital panoramic radiographs. The correlation coefficient (intra-class) was calculated to assess the intra-examiner reproducibility and a good agreement was achieved (ICC=0.79-0.89). RESULTS For both males and females, the highest mean R/C ratio was for maxillary canine (1.91) and for mandibular second premolar (2.0) while the lowest R/C ratio was for maxillary first molar (1.64) and for mandibular central incisor (1.59). Except for the maxillary second premolar, no significant differences in R/C ratios were observed for maxillary arch. In the mandibular arch, the R/C ratio for lateral incisor, both premolars, and molars differed significantly (P<0.05). Among males, statistically significant differences between teeth existed in R/C ratios for central and lateral incisors, second premolar, and both molars (P>0.05). For females, significant differences between teeth in R/C ratios were observed for both premolars and both molars (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study supports the findings from previous studies that orthopantograms can be used to calculate root/crown ratios, which varies between males and females and the dental arch among Saudi adults.