Evaluation of proximal enamel thickness and crown measurements in maxillary first premolars

ing enamel thickness and planning the resultant optimal morphology of premolars are substantial steps before interproximal stripping. Aim: To analyze proximal enamel thickness and crown measurements in maxillary premolars. Methods: The mesiodistal, buccolingual and cervico-occlusal measurements of 40 human maxillary first premolars (20 right, 20 left) were registered with a digital caliper. The teeth were embedded in acrylic resin and sectioned mesiodistally at the level of the contact areas to obtain 1 mm-thick central sections. Enamel thickness on the proximal surfaces was measured using a perfilometer. Measurements were compared by the Students t-test (α = 0.05). Results: The mean enamel thickness on the mesial surface was 1.22 mm for the right (± 0.17) and left (± 0.18) sides. On the distal surface, the corresponding values were 1.28 mm (± 0.19) on the right side and 1.39 mm (± 0.17) on the left side. Mean values, in millimeters, for the mesiodistal, buccolingual and cervico-occlusal measurements on both sides ranged from 7.03 (± 0.43) to 7.07 (± 0.48), 9.59 (± 0.48) to 9.65 (± 0.58) and 8.65 (± 0.66) to 8.85 (± 0.65), respectively. There were no significant differences between right and left teeth. However, enamel thickness was significantly greater (p