Maxillary arch dimensions in Saudi and Egyptian population sample.

Observations relating to maxillary arch dimensions were obtained from 243 randomly selected subjects. The group consisted of 146 Saudi subjects with an average age of 24 years and 97 Egyptian subjects with an average age of 27 years. The measurement distances from canine to canine (C-C), molar to molar (M-M), molar to canine (M-C), and molar to incisor (M-I) were based on Mack4 criteria. There was a highly significant difference by sex for Saudi and Egyptian samples, and the mean value of C-C, M-M, and M-I intercusp distances was significantly higher for Egyptians than for the Saudi sample. No significant difference was found in the M-C measurement. The results of this study demonstrate the median location of maxillary arch dimensions of Saudi and Egyptian groups combined as a sample Middle Eastern population when compared with Nigerian and British samples. Furthermore, this work can be used as a basis for future studies by anthropologists in all countries of the Middle East to define the possible changes that occur in the maxillary arch dimensions and the expected changes in the future.