Naylor, W. Patrick

Single implants and their crowns have high survival rates that exceed the survival rates for fixed partial dentures on teeth and most but not all publications have determined single implants are more cost-effective than 3-unit fixed partial dentures. Both initial root canal treatment and retreatment are more cost-effective than tooth extraction and rehabilitation with a single implant and crown. Keywords: cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, fixed partial dentures, patient perceptions, single implants

Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the facial appearance of patients from six racial groups (African American, Caucasian, Chinese, Hispanic, Japanese, and Korean) for interracial and/or gender differences and to determine if orms existed. Materials and Methods: A total of 253 subjects (144 men and 109 women) ranging in age from 18 to 41 years (mean age 26.5 years) were evaluated using a standardized protocol. The data were collected and analyzed to establish reference ranges for seven frontal and six profile extraoral parameters. Mean scores were compared by race and gender using a one-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey- Kramer test for honestly significant difference when statistically significant differences were found (P .05). Results: There were no significant differences for any of the seven frontal or six profile extraoral parameters between men and women. No significant differences were found between racial groups for five of the seven frontal and one of the six profile extraoral parameters. Conclusion: Most of the frontal facial parameters and one profile extraoral parameter might be considered norms for male and female patients of different ethnic origins. Additional research with larger patient populations would be needed to confirm or refute these trends.

Purpose: This article compares interracial or gender differences of six intraoral dental parameters among six racial groups (African American, Caucasian, Chinese, Hispanic, Japanese, and Korean). Materials and Methods: The same 253 patients participating in part 1 were included in this portion of the study to evaluate six intraoral parameters. The data were collected and analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey-Kramer test for honestly significant difference when statistically significant differences were found (P .05). Results: Women displayed significantly more gingival tissue in four of the six races, and African Americans displayed significantly more gingival tissue than any other race. Women had significantly more missing teeth than men in three of the six races studied. Japanese subjects had significantly fewer missing teeth and smaller maxillary central incisors than all other groups except Caucasians. Women had significantly narrower maxillary central incisors in three of the races. There was a significantly higher prevalence of Angle Class III relationships in Chinese subjects. The Japanese had significantly more Class II molar relationships than other races. Conclusion: Racial and gender differences were found in gingival tissue display, the number of missing teeth, maxillary right central incisor crown width, and Angle molar classification, but not in the amount of vertical or horizontal overlap of the anterior teeth.