Correlation between maxillary dental arch width and morphometric characteristics of the incisive papilla
Background: The relationship between the morphometric characteristics of the incisive papilla and dental arch width represents an important aspect in assessing anatomical and prosthetic relationships in the anterior maxilla. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between maxillary dental arch width and morphometric characteristics of the incisive papilla (length, width, shape). Materials and Methods: A total of 180 subjects of both sexes, aged 20-40 years, with complete dentition and different skeletal classes were included in the study. Results: The results indicate that the transverse dimensions of the maxillary dental arch (13-23, 14-24, and 16-26) are significantly associated with the morphological parameters of the palate and the incisive papilla. The width of the incisive papilla emerged as the most significant predictor in all regression models, confirming its importance as a stable anatomical landmark in prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous patients. The shape of the incisive papilla did not show a statistically significant influence on dental arch width, nor was there a significant interaction between sex and papilla shape. Conclusion: The width of the incisive papilla represents the most significant predictor of the transverse dimensions of the maxillary dental arch. This correlation has important implications in prosthodontics for understanding individual anatomical variations and improving clinical practice.