Variation in tooth crown size and shape are outcomes of the complex adaptive system associated with the tooth number variation of hypodontia

The development of the dentition is a good model of general development; it has the general characteristics of a complex adaptive system. The developmental variation of hypodontia presents with a reduced number of teeth with several other phenotypic changes. The teeth formed are smaller in size, have different crown and root morphology and are delayed in development. The present study is a component of a multi-centre and multidisciplinary collaborative study to investigate hypodontia from genotype to phenotype. This study uses enhanced 3D-imaging techniques in order to increase the range of parameters of the phenotypic outcome: tooth size and tooth shape. The sample consists of orthodontic patients, 60 with hypodontia (30 males and 30 females), and 60 controls matched for age, sex and ethnicity. The material studied for these measurements are the dental models of each patient; these have been imaged with an Amann Girrbach Ceramill Map400 3D scanner. The 3D images produced were all taken by one operator and viewed on MeshLab. The accuracy of the measurements taken was determined through repeat measurements of the same images, undertaken to determine intra and inter-operator reproducibility. This new system was validated by repeating these measurements using the standard 2D caliper technique. Ten repeat measurements were taken on ten models of the lower and upper premolar inter-cuspal distances. The average intra-operator reproducibility for the inter-cuspal distances when measuring the distance between the buccal and palatal cusp of the maxillary premolar was 0.20 mm; the mandibular premolar was 0.32 mm. The results for inter-operator reproducibility demonstrate an average difference of 0.24 mm for the maxillary premolar and 0.16 mm for the lower premolar. This novel method provides an increased range of measurements with good levels of accuracy. This study will go on to establish the variations on the 3D images between the hypodontia and the control group.