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Mouth Width and Cupid’s Bow Estimation in a Southern African Population
Author(s) -
Houlton Tobias M. R.,
Jooste Nicolene,
Steyn Maryna
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.14207
Subject(s) - superimposition , philtrum , maxillary central incisor , population , orthodontics , polynomial regression , regression analysis , craniofacial , regression , dentistry , mathematics , medicine , statistics , physics , anatomy , optics , upper lip , environmental health , psychiatry
Standards for estimating mouth width and Cupid’s bow width in craniofacial approximation and superimposition are limited. Currently, the only guideline for mouth width, using direct skeletal references, is a general rule indicating a 75% inter‐canine to mouth width ratio. The philtrum, which closely corresponds to the Cupid’s bow, is said to be equal to the inter‐superior prominences of the maxillary central incisors. This study tested these guidelines against newly generated regression models and mean values. Cone‐beam CT scans of 120 black and 39 white southern African adults were used. Comparative hard and soft tissue measurements were taken using a 3D DICOM viewer. Regression equations accounting population, sex, and approximate age variables (20–39 and 40+ years), utilizing maxillary inter‐canine width to estimate mouth width and maxillary central–lateral incisor junction width to estimate Cupid’s bow width, performed statistically best. The regression models were more reliable than existing standards in validation tests.