Intercanine and intermolar widths are transverse dental arch measurements which form part of the arch size perimeters. The size and form of the dental arches can have considerable implications in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, affecting the space available, dental esthetics and stability of the dentition. Intercanine and intermolar width norms have been established in different races and this demonstrated the uniqueness of each race group.
Aim: To determine the mean intercanine and intermolar widths in a sample of Black South Africans.
Objectives: To determine the intercanine and intermolar width in a sample of Black South Africans with normal occlusion; to determine the intercanine and intermolar width in a sample of Black South Africans with crowded arches; to compare the intermolar and intercanine widths in two groups and to perform gender comparisons of subjects with normal dentition and those with crowded dentition.
Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 80 study models of Black South Africans equally distributed according to gender and occlusal status into 40 Class I none crowded and 40 Class I crowded. Intercanine and intermolar widths were measured on each subject's dental casts with the use of an electronic digital calliper.
Results: For CL I none crowded and CL I crowded, the mean maxillary intercanine width was 36.17 and 35.89; the intermolar widths 48.49 and 47.52; mandibular intercanine widths 27.92 and 27.69 and intermolar 42.42 and 41.66 respectively. Gender comparison demonstrated significant differences in both groups.
Conclusion: All arch widths measurements were found to be wider in males for both groups. When CL I crowded were compared with CL I none crowded, intercanine and intermolar widths (both maxillary and mandibular) were found to be significantly different.