Quantitative management of morphological problems of the incisor-canine group

Address for correspondence: J. FAURE 10, place Lannes 32021 Auch. faure_ja@club-internet.fr

Abstract

The maxillary incisor-canine group above all, plays a crucial role both in the esthetics of the smile as well as in mastication.

The most frequent morphological problems, agenesis, stunted, or peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors will hinder the anterior guidance and have an adverse impact on the smile (‘‘fang’’ shaped teeth, spaces/overlapping teeth, anomalies in size in relation to neighboring teeth).

The satisfactory reconstruction of the upper six anterior teeth requires first and foremost a proportional relationship between the lateral and central incisors and between the upper and lower six front teeth. A study of the esthetic indices (L/C: lateral/central) and functional (I/S: inferior/superior – mandibular anterior teeth/maxillary anterior teeth) can be a decision aid and can measure the effectiveness of different treatments (adding composites, stripping, ceramic cap, single implant-supported crown).