Evaluation and correlation between the upper lip length and philtrum length to size of the upper incisors.

Background: A lot of research on interalar distance, intercanthal distance, bizygomatic width, and intercanine width has been done for selecting the size of the anterior teeth, but there is no reliable method for selection of anterior teeth. In this article, the upper lip length and philtrum length are evaluated to check the correlation with anterior teeth size. Aim: The aim is to examine the relationship of upper lip length and philtrum length to maxillary central and lateral incisors teeth proportions in dentate patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 males and 25 females with the age of 18-21 years were selected for the study. They were seated in an upright position, and a flexible ruler was used to measure their upper lip length and philtrum length. A Vernier caliper was used to measure the height and width of the central and lateral incisors. The results were tabulated and significant correlations were studied. Results: In females, the upper lip length coincides with twice the height and width of the lateral incisors, whereas philtrum length coincides with width of the central incisors. In males, the mean height and width of both the central and lateral incisors are statistically significant with philtrum length and upper lip length. Conclusion: In the study, philtrum length can be taken as guide for selecting width of the central incisor in females. It can also use as guide for height and width of the both incisors in males. Lip length can be used as guide for selecting the size of both central and lateral incisors in males, whereas in females it can be used only for selecting lateral incisor size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]