Average Buccal Corridor Space in Indian Population with Class I Occlusion.

Aim Of the study - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the average buccal corridor width for a sample of Indian adults with Class I normal occlusion. Materials and Methods -The sample consisted of 60 Indian adults aged between 18-25 years with Class I incisor, canine and molar relation- ship. Clinical examination and digital frontal photograph with posed smile were performed for each individual and measurement of buccal corridor was done. Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test were performed for the sample. Results and Conclusion - Average buccal corridor space in Indian population with Class I occlusion was found to be 9.58% (medium broad smile). In males, it was found to be narrower (8.49%) than in females (10.67%). INTRODUCTION- Buccal corridors also known as negative or black spaces were defined by Frush and Fisher 1 as the spaces between the facial surfaces of posterior teeth and the corners of lips when a person is smiling. The perceived dimensions and depth of the shadows in this space depend on several factors, such as the width of the dental arches, the sagittal position of the dental arches, the range of horizontal movements produced at the lip commis- sure and the type of lighting utilized during the assessment and photographic session. Both the absence and the enlarge- ment of the buccal corridors negatively affect the aesthetics of the face. The smile with lack of buccal corridors is called a "denture smile."