Dental crowding and its relationship to mesiodistal crown diameters and arch dimensions.

An investigation was carried out to determine the correlation among cumulative mesiodistal crown widths, arch dimensions, and the degree of primary dental arch crowding. Two different ethnic groups were studied--namely, indigenous British and Pakistani immigrant groups--to determine whether similar correlations existed as part of a larger study of ethnic comparisons. Correlation matrix computation and multiple regression analysis were among the tests used. The results showed that in both ethnic groups there were very significant correlations between certain arch dimensions and the degree of crowding. There was no significant correlation between cumulative mesiodistal crown widths and dental crowding when considered in isolation. In combination with the other parameters, however, cumulative mesiodistal crown widths contributed significantly to the overall regression equation. This suggested a complex interrelationship among cumulative mesiodistal crown widths, the various arch dimensions, and primary dental crowding.