Comparative odontometric data between Moroccan and Senegalese

INTRODUCTION: knowledge on the mesiodistal crown diameter of permanent teeth is relevant to clinical dentistry especially to orthodontics and prosthetic dentistry. Important variations have been reported in tooth crown size dimension between different populations. This seems to be related to complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to compare the mesiodistal crown diameter of the permanent teeth in Moroccan and Senegalese populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the material for this study consisted of 104 pairs of study models of randomlyselected Moroccan (54 pairs) and Senegalese (50 pairs) children. The maximum mesiodistal dimensions were recorded for premolars, molars, canines and incisors in each study model using an electronic digital calliper (Mitutoyo, Japan) to the nearest 0.01 mm. The mesiodistal diameter of antimeric teeth was compared using paired sample t test. The independent sample t test was used to test for any difference between Moroccan and Senegalese regarding mesiodistal crown diameter of isomeric teeth. RESULTS: there were no significant differences in the mesiodistal diameter of antimeric teeth. The mesiodistal dimension of the canine was significantly larger in males than in females of both populations. The mesiodistal crown diameter of isomeric teeth was significantly larger in Senegalese in comparison to Moroccan. CONCLUSION: Further work with a larger number of non orthodontic subjects is needed to validate these findings.