Mesial-distal Width of Permanent Teeth of 10-16 Year-old Kenyans

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish the mesio-distal tooth widths of permanent teeth in a selected sample of Kenyans of African descent in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: A total of 204 pre-treatment orthodontic casts(102 males; 102f emales) were selected. The subjects were aged between 10-16 years. Mesio-distal widths of the incisors, canines, premolars and first molars were measured using a pair of dividers and a pair of dividers and a ruler. Results: There were no significant differences between the measurements. However, there was a significant gender difference and also a difference between the different arches in the mesio-distal width (mm) of maxillary and mandibular permanent teeth in 10-16 year–old males and females. Conclusions: There were significiant gender differences in the mesio-distal widths of Kenyans teeth. The mean mesio-distal width of the teeth was generally larger than the data reported for Caucasians.