3. ResultsEven though http://www.selleckchem.com/products/VX-770.html males had significantly bigger values for incisor widths, there was no significant difference between incisor tooth size in males and females. Also, nearly all of the arch width measurements in males did not differ significantly from females (Table 1).Coefficients correlation was ascertained between combined maxillary incisor widths to premolar arch width, and to molar arch width and the corresponding values that were calculated according to Pont’s Index were low in all cases for males and females, with r values ranging from 0.02 to 0.36 (Table 2).Table 2Correlation coefficient (r) and coefficients of determination (r2) between measured and calculated arch width values according to Pont’s formulae.

The differences between measured and calculated arch width values that were calculated for females and males are presented in Table 3 and Figure 1.Figure 1(a) Differences between measured and predicted arch width values for females in millimetres. (b) Differences between measured and predicted arch width values for males in millimetres.Table 3Percentage of individuals having an observed arch width values under, over, and ��1mm around Pont’s prediction. 4. DiscussionThe importance of tooth size discrepancies in orthodontic diagnosis has been widely reported in the literature and accepted by the orthodontic community because the relationship between the upper and lower anterior and posterior dentitions is related to orthodontic finishing excellence [12]. Because of this, many indices and methods have been suggested to guide clinicians in predicting the ideal arch width [13�C15].

One of these was described by Pont [3] who obtained his data from an ill-defined French population and did not indicate how many subjects were included in his sample. However, he apparently was aware of possible differences between ethnic groups and suggested that the reliability of his index should be tested in other populations. Genetic influences have been considered important in the determination of tooth dimensions, and the first reports were related to clinical observations within families. Dacomitinib Studies on twins, however, helped in understanding the genetic contribution of tooth size in that a greater tooth size correlation was found in monozygotic twins [16, 17]. Tooth size differences exist among various ethnic groups, and it is reported that individuals of Black ethnic backgrounds have larger teeth than Caucasians. Studies including Hispanic populations reported significant differences in relation to Caucasians but tooth size similarities to African Americans. The Brazilian population, like the Hispanic population, is composed of a mixture of African and European descendents [18�C20].