Method: The CAW of 100 males and 100 females were measured from canine distal contact to the same point on the other side. The OCD of the same individuals were measured from one side to the other (both by Boley gauge with precision of 0.1mm).The data were statistically analyzed to calculate Pearson correlation coefficients to determine whether any correlation existed between OCD and the dimension of CAW. Based on the Regression analysis a mathematical model was provided, and the examiner evaluated 20 randomly subjects other than 200 selected subjects. Finally, Paired t test was used to evaluate reliability of the mathematical model.
Result: The mean CAW and the mean OCD were 52.90±3.52 and 96±3.49, respectively. In 90.5% of the cases, CAW was less than 50mm short of OCD. Correlation Coefficient of CAW and OCD was r=0.325. A mathematical model of OCD=1.804(CAW)-0.013(CAW)2was computed for this relation.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that OCD can be used as a fairly reliable method to determine CAW for edentulous patients.