ABSTRACTObjective:To measure enamel thickness at the proximal surfaces of the mandibular
incisors, using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans.Material and Methods:Forty-one single-rooted mandibular incisors were selected and analyzed
according to anatomical characteristics, to form three groups: Group 1 -
central incisors (n = 18); Group 2 - right lateral incisors (n = 10); and
Group 3 - left lateral incisors (n = 13). First, enamel thickness at the
proximal contact areas of the mandibular incisors was measured. Second, the
mesial and distal surfaces of the lateral incisors were compared. Finally,
the relationship between the tooth width and the mean enamel thickness was
determined. Each tooth was scanned with a micro-CT scanner, and the image
was processed with SCANCO micro-CT onboard analysis software.Results:There were no statistically significant differences in mean enamel thickness
between the mesial and distal surfaces for each lateral incisor, or between
contralateral lateral incisors. In all surfaces analyzed, the upper zones
had statistically significantly thinner enamel (0.52 ± 0.10 mm) when
compared to the middle and lower zones (0.60 ± 0.08 mm and 0.59 ± 0.08 mm,
respectively). There was no correlation (r =0.07) between enamel thickness
of the mandibular incisor and the tooth width.Conclusions:The enamel thickness of the mandibular incisors is similar on the mesial and
distal surfaces, with the thinnest layer located at the upper zone.