Stature Estimate by the Upper Arch: Carrea´s Method Modified

Abstract

Odontostomat., 11(2):123-127, 2017.ABSTRACT: The Carrea's index is an alternative to estimate the human stature. However, in cases when the jaw is affected, this technique becomes impracticable. Expanding the use of the Carrea's index, by extending it to the upper elements, would increase the chances of the method, especially in cases when only the skull is available for analysis. The aim of the study was to test a new denominator for Carrea's index, so that it could be used for the upper arch, aiming at a new feature to estimate human stature. Plaster models of the arch and the string of the upper arch of 107 dentistry students, aged between 18 and 30 years, previously submitted to anthropometric analysis, were measured with a digital caliper. The data found were inserted in software developed to find a denominator that would result in a higher number of correct answers to real statures, evaluating the left and the right hemiarch, and their average. For the right hemiarch, the denominator with more accuracy for the real stature was the interval from 2.573 to 2.583, with 58.9 %. For the left hemiarch, the best values were from 2.553 to 2.554 with 63.6 %. The average of hemiarchs had as ideal denominator values between 2.579 and 2.581, with 60.7 %. We found no significant statistical difference between denominators. It was possible to obtain a new denominator to apply Carrea's index for the upper arch. The new method had satisfactory accuracy rate and should be tested in other populations to verify its applicability.

The applicability of the Carrea’s method for human height estimation through lower and upper teeth in dental models

“…By using the modified Carrea's method, we found 51.6% of agreement between the estimated and actual height. This percentage is lower than that found by Lima et al 2 when analyzing different denominators to propose the modification of the mathematical formula. Lima et al 2 observed 63.6% of agreement, which led them to select the denominator of 2.55 for application of the formula in the upper teeth.…”

“…This percentage is lower than that found by Lima et al 2 when analyzing different denominators to propose the modification of the mathematical formula. Lima et al 2 observed 63.6% of agreement, which led them to select the denominator of 2.55 for application of the formula in the upper teeth. However, in a second stage of their research in which they proposed to test the new formula, concordance percentages varied according to dental position and sex, somehow closer to what we found in our study: aligned hemiarches -34.7% for males and 42.3% for females; and hemiarches with crowding -65.0% for males and 51.7% for females.…”

“…The chord consisted of a lingual straight line from the mesial edge of the central incisor to the distal edge of the canine on the same quadrant. The maximum and minimum height was calculated using the Carrea's index modified by Lima et al 2 as described in Chart 1.…”

“…The estimation of stature is indispensable in anthropological examinations as it can exclude or certify the identity of an individual. 1,2 Human stature is usually estimated from long bones which, however, might be not frequently available. Under such conditions, other parameters could be analyzed in order to predict human stature, as in example of human teeth.…”

“…He developed a formula to estimate height using the dimensions of the lower incisives and canines. 6 The modification of the Carrea's formula (1939) developed by Lima et al 2 is notable for expanding the use of the method. It makes it possible to use the method in the upper dental arch, particularly in cases when the skull is found without the mandible, therefore accomplishing height estimation when necessary.…”