This article suggests considering the dentofacial specificities of each individual and also the wide variety of natural teeth proportions when restoring or replacing the maxillary anterior teeth. However, individual cultural characteristics and perception of beauty must be considered.

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in comparison with conventional radiography for vertical root fractures, 50 of 100 teeth were subjected to vertical root fracture (VRF) and then placed in dry mandibles. 3D scans were obtained for all teeth, and conventional radiographs were used as control images. All the images were assessed by 6 observers, who determined the presence of root fractures by using a 5-point confidence rating scale. The mean area under the curve (Az) for CBCT was 0.91, and that for conventional radiography was 0.64. The difference between the modalities was statistically significant (P = 0.003). On the basis of interclass coefficient, inter-observer agreement for CBCT was 0/750, and that for conventional radiography was 0/637. Thus CBCT was shown to be significantly better than conventional periapical radiography for diagnosis of vertical root fractures in vitro.

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Background: Impacted tooth is common in dental practice. Dentists usually remove them if they are associated with any pathologic sign or symptom. The challenge is whether to extract the asymptomatic tooth or not. This study was conducted to determine the association between developmental odontogenic cysts and tumors and impacted and unerupted teeth, if left untreated. Methods: In this matched case-control study, 262 participants were recruited in case and control groups to evaluate the association between the presence of odontogenic cyst and tumors and unerupted and impacted teeth in patient records in the School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences during 2000-2002. The controls referred to a dental radiology center for routine OPG. We also recorded the data on age, gender, the involved jaw, and type of lesion. All patients’ records were reviewed by the research director and an oral pathologist separately. The variables that were matched as confounders were age, gender, and the site of the involved jaw. Results: Results of conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of odontogenic lesions was associated with impacted teeth (OR = 6.9), and not associated with the involved jaw and unerupted teeth. Conclusion: Impacted teeth could be considered as a potential risk factor for the presence of odontogenic lesions.

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