Establishment of sexual dimorphism by odontometric analysis of permanent maxillary and mandibular canines

Abstract

Background: In forensic identification, gender estimation is one of the most important parameters. Being the main component of the masticatory apparatus of the skull, teeth are a good source of material for the civil and medico-legal purpose. Gender estimation using dental features is mainly based on the comparison of tooth dimensions. Aim: This study aims at investigating and analyzing the presence of sexual dimorphism in maxillary and mandibular canine using crown dimensions. Settings and Design: The study sample consisted of a total of 204 subjects. The greatest mesiodistal (MD), labiolingual (LL) diameter, and crown height (CH) of the maxillary and mandibular canines were recorded clinically on the subjects with the help of a Digital Vernier Caliper and tight divider. Statistical Analysis: The data sample was computed using SPSS statistical program, version 21. Discriminant analysis was used to find the dimorphism in canine measurements between males and females. Results: This study revealed that males showed greater mean CH and mesiodistal dimensions for mandibular canine teeth in comparison to females. Out of the four canines, the mesiodistal dimensions of right maxillary and mandibular canines and CH of maxillary left and mandibular right canines were significantly different in males compared to those in females. According to the study, the right mandibular canine and left maxillary canine show highly consistent results for sexual dimorphism. Conclusion: The findings support the usefulness of odontometric analysis of the canine teeth in gender estimation. Therefore, it can be used as an adjunct along with other procedures for gender estimation.

Keywords

• canine
• forensic anthropology
• forensic dentistry
• sex determination and analysis