Comparison of Chu's Proportion Gauge with a T-bar Tip and a Two-Tip Compass in the Determination of Anterior Dentition Tooth Size in a Group of Puerto Ricans.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Compare maxillary anterior dentition measurements, using Chu's proportion gauge with a T-bar tip (PG-TT) and a Two-Tip Compass (T-TC), in a group of Puerto Ricans, to determine the reliability of the PG-TT. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus. The participants (18-35 years old) were dental students or employees of the university. Previously, the examiner had been trained and calibrated in instrument usage. Calibration participants (n = 16) received an oral exam, prophylaxis, and a chlorhexidine mouthwash for home use. After 3 days, the upper-anterior teeth were measured using the 2 instruments. The agreement was determined using weighted kappa statistics (Kw), and 0.80 was the minimum acceptable level. The examiner achieved almost perfect agreement (inter-examiner KwT-TC = 0.95 [0.96-0.93]; KwPG-TT = 0.82 [0.81-0.87]) with a reference examiner. RESULTS: Fifty participants (25 women and 25 men) were evaluated. Length The teeth of the men presented an unacceptable level of agreement, except for in the right central incisors. For the women, a strong level of agreement was observed only in the lateral incisors and left canines. When the teeth of both sexes were considered, a strong level of agreement was detected, except for in the right canines and left central incisors. Width The level of agreement was unacceptable, except for in the right canines (distal). CONCLUSION: T-TC is a more reliable instrument to measure tooth dimensions as compared to the PG-TT.