Unerupted Canine and Premolars Width Estimation Based on Bayesian Approach: A Comparative Study

Background During mixed dentition period, one can make accurate estimation of future dental development and can assess whether there will be enough space in the dental arch. In orthodontics treatment planning, it is vital to predict space required for unerupted canine and premolars in the arch. Objectives The main goal of this study is to compare different teeth combinations in predicting needed space for unerupted canine and premolars on Bayesian approach and introduce the most reliable one. Patients and Methods The sample for this study consists of 47 dental casts (19 males, 28 females) with complete erupted dental arches. The meisodistal width of all teeth was measured using a dental caliper. We consider different combinations of teeth size and compare them to find the best predictor. In order to do that, quantile regression and Bayesian approach are applied using “R software”. Results Combination of first maxillary molars with sum of central and lateral mandibular incisors has the smallest standard deviation. This is true for male and female samples. The regression formula based on this teeth combination has been introduced. Conclusions In our sample, combination of Mandibular incisors and maxillary first molar is found to be better than the other predictors for female and female model in both arches.