The dentition and occlusal development in children of african american descent

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to (1) determine normative dental arch dimensions (arch length [AL], arch width [AW], arch perimeter [AP], and amount of interdental space [IDS]) in the primary dentition of African American (AA) children; (2) compare the established normative arch dimensions in AA children with their European American (EA) cohorts; and (3) contrast a theoretical construct of mandibular transitional occlusal development between children of AA and EA descent on the basis of normative values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred seventeen sets of AA primary dental casts (110 boys, 107 girls) made from alginate impressions were measured and compared with historical EA standard values. Independent group t-tests were used to analyze sample differences. RESULTS: AA children showed significant (P = .001) sex differences in each respective dental arch dimension with the exception of the mandibular canine AW. AA boys and girls revealed statistically larger (P = .001) arch dimensions (AP, AL, AW) and amounts of IDS compared with their EA cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The total amount of IDS within the primary dental arches is approximately equal in AA boys and girls, but significant site-specific gender dimorphism existed. The primary dental arch dimensions of AA children were significantly larger than those of EA children in AW, AL, AP, and IDS.