Clark’s technique to determine the distance between the permanent lateral incisor and the erupting canine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To know the distance existing between the permanent lateral incisor and the erupting canine could be important when deciding to use an orthodontic appliance, like the 4x2. The Computerized Tomography is commonly used to diagnose this, but it is expensive; then, a variation of the Clark’s technique as diagnose alternative was proved. OBJECTIVE: To verify the exactness of the distance measured between the permanent lateral incisor and the erupting canine through the Clark’s technique, when compared with the one measured directly in skulls. METHODS: Five skulls were adapted five canines, one canine to each skull. The distance between the lateral incisor and the canine apex was manipulated and 150 periapical radiographs were taken. The inclusion criteria of the radiographs were clarity, resolution and exactitude. Every measure was done on each radiograph, and those measures were compared to the ones taken directly on the skulls through correlation tests. RESULTS: A high correlation between the measurements done on the skulls and the ones observed on the radiographs with the Clark’s technique was found. Those radiographs taken from the maxillar in the same side where the tooth was located were more exact. The correlation coefficient was r=0.9969 for the tooth 23, when the radiographs were taken from the left side. The correlation coefficient was r=0.994 for the tooth 13, when the radiographs were taken from the right side. CONCLUSION: The displacement found in the periapical radiographs with the Clark’s technique allowed to verify the exactitude of the distances measured regardless the radiographic distortion shown.