comparison of the mesiodistal crown dimensions of upper and lower central incisors between the natural dentition and artificial teeth in iran

introdouction: the aim of this study was to compare the ratios of the mesiodistal width of the upper and lower central incisors between natural teeth and those produced artificially by ideal makoo, ivoclar, and vitapan, in iran. materials and methods: the mesiodistal width of the upper and lower central incisors was measured in 120 students, using calipers placed at the height of contour of the teeth. the widths of the upper and lower central incisors, and their ratios, in the artificial teeth were determined using the tooth catalogs of ideal makoo, vitapan, and ivoclar products. results: the average mesiodistal width of the upper and lower central incisors, in the natural dentition, was 8.54 ± 0.76 (mean ± standard deviation (sd)), and 5.29 ± 0.57 (mean ± sd), respectively, while the ratio of the widths of the upper central incisors to the lower central incisors was 1.63 ± 0.21 (mean ± sd).conclusion: considering the similarities in the widths of the upper and lower central incisors, their ratios, and the esthetics, between the natural dentition and the commercially available artificial teeth, dentists in northern iran are advised to use the a36 a7, a66 a7, a26 a7, a14 a7, and a56 a7 sets from ivoclar products as well as the z85 l13, z84 l9, and z74 l9 sets from vitapan products for males. furthermore, sets z61 l3 and z51 l3 from vitapan products are recommended for females, whereas the sets a54 i5 from ideal makoo products and a24b a5, a12 a5, a13 a5, and a54 a5 from ivoclar products are recommended for general use in dentures.