ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Adequate tooth-size ratios are required to ensure the satisfactory outcome of orthodontic treatment. Consequently, various methods of measuring tooth-size ratios have been developed being the Bolton ratio the most commonly accepted, known and used one. This ratio depending directly on mesiodistal tooth size has been associated with different ethnic backgrounds. Some authors suggest the need for specific standards for every population. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of our study were; to measure and to compare mesiodistal tooth sizes and the Anterior and Overall Bolton ratios in two different populations, one Peruvian and the other Spanish with the same digital method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample included 149 individuals composed of two groups; 99 Spanish (mean age 14.19), 65 being females and 34 males and 50 Peruvian (mean age 14.46), 18 being males and 32 females. The mesiodistal sizes of each of the patients were measured using a digital method and the Anterior and Overall Bolton ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Tooth size does indeed involve a strong ethnic component, and the Anterior Bolton ratio is specific for each ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS: The conclusions are; tooth sizes of the Peruvian population were greater than those of the Spanish population. The Anterior Bolton ratio of Peruvian individuals was greater than that of the Spanish, whereas no differences were found for Overall Bolton ratio. These differences suggest the need for specific standards for the Spanish and Peruvian population.