Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the canine tooth position and its relationship with the line drawn perpendicular to the nasal ala in an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytical epidemiological field study was conducted on 100 males and 100 females presenting to the dental clinic of Shahed Dental School in June 2023. Digital photographs were obtained from the patients under standardized conditions. Reference lines were drawn perpendicular to the nasal alae and continued down to the lower lip (AI lines). The distance from the canine cusp tip (AICT) and distal contact point of the canine tooth (AICD) to the AI line was measured bilaterally using Digimizer software version 6. Data were analyzed by t-test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: The AICT and AICD were significantly larger than zero in males and females (P0.05). The mean AICT and AICD in males were more significant than in females by 2-2.5 mm. No significant difference was found in the right and left canine positions, neither in males nor in females (P0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results, the AI line and gender are both effective in determining the canine position in the study population and, therefore, should be considered in designing an esthetically pleasant denture. The canine position determined adequately for one side may also be used for the other side since no significant difference was found in the right and left canine positions.