Evaluation of Maxillary Central Incisor and Canine in Relation to Inter Papilla Line: A Comparative Study

Several investigators have studied the horizontal relationship between incisive papilla and maxillary central incisor and measured the papilla incisor distance in dentate subjects to extrapolate this distance as a guide to place maxillary central incisors in complete dentures. Based on this premise, incisive papilla is recognized as an important landmark in complete denture construction. Papilla incisor measurements were made either from the middle or posterior border of the papilla and certain ethnic and national norms have been recommended to set the central incisors in complete dentures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the vertical distance of maxillary central incisor (CI) and maxillary canine (CA) from the incisive papilla (IP) line and their variation with age and sex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 dentulous subjects following the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly selected from the local population. On the basis of gender and age, subjects were divided into four groups: Ma, Mb, Fa and Fb . Maxillary impressions of selected subjects were made and corresponding casts were retrieved. The cast was positioned on the surveyor and the center of IP was transferred to the labial side of maxillary right CI and CA regions with the help of analyzing rod of the surveyor and a line was drawn in this region which was referred to as “IP line”. The measurements were made from the IP line to the mesio-incisal line angle of right maxillary CI-IP and cusp tip of right maxillary CA with the help of digital vernier caliper (CA to IP). RESULT: The mean vertical distance of maxillary CI-IP ranged from 6.31 ± 0.74 mm to 7.04 ± 0.87 mm and the mean vertical distance of maxillary CA-IP ranged from 5.83 ± 0.80 mm to 6.30 ± 0.82 mm. CONCLUSION: The CA position in relation to the IP line is more stable to its position than the CI position irrespective of age and sex.