Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate in three races of Brazilian population the utilization of the incisive papilla as a guide for the selection of the width of anterior denture teeth. Methods: 120 subjects aged from 18 to 33 years and mixed sex were selected. They were divided in three racial groups: 40 white subjects; 40 mulatto subjects and 40 black subjects. Stone casts were obtained from impressions of the maxillary arch. A paper photocopy was made from the cast and fixed on a digitizing table for the digitalization of specific points related to the application of the methods of the incisive papilla. The DFPlus software was used to measure the distance from the center and the posterior border of the incisive papilla to lines passing through the tips and the distal of the canines, respectively. It was also determined, in millimeters, the selection error due to the clinical application of the methods. Results: There was no coincidence of the center and the posterior border of the papilla to the lines passing through the tips and the distal of the canines, respectively. There was no evidence (ANOVA p<0.05) of statistic difference between the referred distances among the three races. The utilization of the center of the papilla would lead, in mean, to larger artificial teeth and the utilization of the posterior border of the papilla, to narrower teeth. In 24.9% of white, 19.3% of mulatto and 32.9% of black population, the utilization of the center of the incisive papilla would generate selection errors above 4mm. With the utilization of the posterior border, these values would be 39.8%, 42.9% and 41.4%, respectively. Conclusion: The incisive papilla methods are not accurate but could be used to establish the initial selection of artificial teeth size for the racial groups studied.

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