Applicability Evaluation of Pont Index Based on Three-dimensional Digital Models in Southern Fujian

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2026.07.009

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the applicability of Pont's index in Southern Fujian and to establish population-specific equations for predicting maxillary dental arch widths. Methods: A total of 462 adults (198 males, 264 females) from Southern Fujian were enrolled. Digital intraoral scans were obtained and analyzed using FusionAnalyser software to measure the sum of maxillary incisor widths (SI), inter-canine width (ICW), inter-premolar width (IPW), and inter-molar width (IMW). Pont's index was used to predict IPW and IMW. Data were analyzed with SPSS 29.0. Paired t-tests were used to compare the predicted and actual arch widths, and gender differences in tooth and arch widths were assessed. Correlation and linear regression analyses assessed the SI-arch widths relationship and established corresponding prediction equations. Results: Pont's index significantly overestimated arch widths, with mean differences of 3.28 mm for IPW and 3.46 mm for IMW (P<0.001). SI was positively correlated with ICW, IPW, and IMW (r=0.616,0.483,0.350, respectively). Males had larger SI and arch widths than females (P<0.001). Gender-specific prediction equations, developed from a training set with a random 2∶1 split, were validated. The validation showed no significant difference between the predicted and measured arch widths (P>0.05). Conclusion: Pont's index has limited applicability in the Southern Fujian population. The newly developed regression equations are more accurate and reliable for predicting maxillary arch widths in this regional group.

Key words: Pont's index, dental arch width, mesiodistal crown width, Southern Fujian

CHEN Yuping, HE Jie, CHEN Xiaobo. Applicability Evaluation of Pont Index Based on Three-dimensional Digital Models in Southern Fujian[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2026, 42(7): 602-606.

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