Maxillary Anterior Teeth Dimensions: A Biometric Analysis in a Kuwaiti Population

Maxillary anterior tooth dimensions are critical in esthetic and restorative dentistry, yet data remain limited for some populations. Existing reference values may not apply universally, and sex-related differences are underreported. This study examined the clinical crown width (w), length (l), and width/length ratio (w/l) of maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines in a Kuwaiti adult population, and evaluated the sex-related differences.

Maxillary 3D resin models were obtained from 126 healthy adults. Mesiodistal width (w) and clinical crown length (l) were measured with a digital caliper (0.01 mm). The w/l ratio was calculated, and reproducibility was tested on 24 models. Sex differences were assessed with independent sample t-tests.

Of the participants, 84 (66.6%) were female and 42 (33.4%) were male, with a mean age of 29.8 years. Mean (± SD, range) crown widths were 8.83 ± 0.65 (7.5-9.8) mm, 6.83 ± 0.52 (6.0-7.8) mm, and 7.76 ± 0.58 (6.8-8.7) mm for central, lateral, and canine teeth, respectively. Corresponding lengths were 9.83 ± 0.72 (8.2-11.2) mm, 8.00 ± 0.60 (7.0-9.2) mm, and 9.14 ± 0.68 (8.0-10.4) mm. The corresponding w/l ratios were 91% (centrals), 86% (laterals), and 86% (canines). Statistically significant sex differences were observed in crown length (p < 0.001) and w/l ratio (p < 0.001) for all three tooth types, with males exhibiting longer crowns and females showing higher w/l ratios.

Width/length ratios were higher in females across all maxillary anterior teeth, whereas crown length of all anterior teeth and canine width were greater in males, showing the greatest sexual dimorphism. Ethnicity and sex significantly influence maxillary anterior tooth dimensions, highlighting the need for population- and sex-specific reference values to guide esthetic and restorative treatment.