The assessment of golden proportion in primary dentition

BACKGROUND: Golden proportion is a constant ratio that exists in nature, responsible for the esthetic appeal of parts in the human body. The study was aimed to assess the existence of golden proportion in primary dentition by evaluating the average width and height ratio of maxillary anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 children comprising equal number of males and females aged 3-7 years with all deciduous teeth present were randomly selected. Each participant was photographed with head upright and occlusal plane parallel to floor. Distance between the participant and camera was fixed at a working distance of 60 cm. The digital images were analyzed using imaging software (Adobe V7), the perceived widths of maxillary laterals were divided by widths of central incisor and that of canines were divided by perceived widths of lateral incisor. Maxillary arch impressions were made and casts prepared. Measurement of each anterior tooth was done using digital calipers. The measured width of lateral incisor was divided by width of central incisor and that of canine was divided by measured width of lateral incisor. Perceived and measured widths were tabulated separately. RESULTS: The mean measured lateral incisor-to-central incisor ratio was 0.80. The mean measured canine-to-lateral incisor ratio was 1.32. The mean perceived lateral incisor-to-central incisor ratio was 0.75. The mean perceived canine-to-lateral incisor ratio was 0.90. The mean measured width-to-height ratio of central incisors was 1.14. The mean perceived width-to-height of central incisors ratio was 1.08. No significant statistical difference was observed between measured widths, perceived widths, measured width-to-height ratio, and perceived width-to-height ratios for both the sexes. There was strong correlation between these ratios and golden ratio (0.62). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the golden proportion was inconsistent in terms of relative tooth width in primary dentition.