Digital assessment of dental parameters in Italian and Mozambican subjects with ideal occlusion and permanent dentition

Objective: To obtain reference values for tip, torque and in-out from digital models of Italian and Mozambican subjects in ideal occlusion using a repeatable and validated method and to compare these measurements with previously reported values. Material and Methods: Dental parameters were acquired from digital models of each subject, categorized to one of two groups: Italians (23 males, 27 females; mean age 28.3 years, ±5.7 years) and Mozambicans (14 males, 15 females; mean age, 23.4 years, ±5.9), using VAM software. All subjects had ideal occlusion, permanent dentition and no previous orthodontic treatment, fillings or prostheses. After normality of data was assumed (p<0.05), a paired t-test was performed to detect any statistical differences between the two groups (p<0.05). Then, classical inference (t-test and power analysis) was used to compare our data to those reported by other authors. Results: Mozambicans’ incisors were more proclined, while their upper molars appeared to be more prominent regarding Italians’. Italians shown greater tip values, especially at the upper first premolars and lower first molars. In-out values were comparable between the two groups, except for the upper molars (more prominent in Mozambicans) and lower first molar (more prominent in Italians). Unlike other reports, upper second molars displayed negative tip in our samples. Conclusion: Pre-adjusted appliances with standard prescription should not be expected to guarantee optimal outcomes. Prescriptions specific for ethnicities are recommended and reference values should be reconsidered.