A Morphometric Study of Labial Grooves on Anterior Maxillary Dentition

This study was performed to investigate the shape, characteristics, and correlation of labial grooves on anterior maxillary dentition. Individual teeth (N = 621) were investigated using a microscopic three-dimensional digital image correlation system. The average length, width, and depth of grooves were quantified, and groove patterns in anterior maxillary teeth and the symmetry and correlation of grooves in anterior maxillary dentition were studied. There were nine common groove patterns in central incisors, eight in lateral incisors, and nine in canines. A good symmetry of grooves was found between the left and right dentition. The number of grooves and the groove pattern were correlated among central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. This study may provide guidance for clinical design of labial grooves.