Comparative evaluation of the group of teeth with the best prediction value in the mixed dentition analysis

Aim Mixed dentition analysis allows the prediction of the toothwidth of non erupted permanent canines and premolars(SPCP). It is an essential factor in treatment planning since itcould predict a tooth-size to arch-length discrepancy. The aimof this study was to determine which group of permanentteeth presented the best prediction capability for the widthsums of the unerupted canine and premolars in an Italiansample. Materials andmethods A total of 150 subjects withcomplete permanent dentition were selected. Their dentalcasts were measured to 0.01 mm with a digital caliper. Pearsoncorrelation and T-test were used for the statistical analysis.Results/Statistics The combination of the sums of the fourlower incisors and the first upper molars showed the bestprediction capability for the SPCP in the Italian sample.Moreover new regression equations were formulated includingsex and arch as additional predictor variables. In 80% of thecases estimated differences between the predicted and theactual values were smaller than 1 mm. Conclusions It can beconcluded that the new regression equations proposedseemed to show good accuracy.