Evaluation of esthetics of incisor position in relation to incisive papilla to replicate in the denture prosthesis

BACKGROUND: The distance between the central incisor to incisive papilla (CI-IP) is constant and regarded as one of the landmarks for the placement of artificial teeth in the prosthesis. Earlier studies were done in relation to anterior border of papilla but after extraction the incisive papilla recedes changing the position of anterior border. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 100 dentulous subjects were divided into two groups (males and females) with 50 in each group. Maxillary alginate impressions were made and base poured using levelling instrument to standardize all casts and surveyed on the surveyor for uniformity of the casts. The measured distances were analyzed using Student t-test analysis. RESULTS: The ovoid arch was the commonest arch form found in both males and females with slightly more prevalent in females. Analysis was done using Student t-test analysis and found that the mean distance from CI-IP was found to be at 12.85 mm and 12.39 mm in males and females, respectively. CONCLUSION: When square arch form (both male and female) mean CI-IP was compared with the total sample mean CI-IP, the mean CI-IP of square arch form was less than that of total sample with greater significance (P < 0.05). When ovoid arch form (both male and female) mean CI-IP was compared with the square arch form (both male and female) mean CI-IP, the mean CI-IP of ovoid arch form was greater than that of square arch form with greatest significance (P = 0).