Tooth Dimension Variations as a Gender Determinant in Permanent Maxillary Teeth - Abstract
Background: Physical characteristics and the protection from the bone jaw preserve the dentition even when the bony structures of the body are destroyed. Due to this, the use of dental morphology to determine sexual dimorphism is a procedure established in anthropological and biological studies.
Aim and objectives: This study aims to determine gender of an individual based on buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions of teeth and analyze if any sexual variation existed in both the dimensions of maxillary permanent teeth except second and third molars.
Materials and methods: The study examined 100 individuals (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 18-30 years. Buccolingual and Mesiodistal dimensions were measure using Yamayo Vernier Caliper (0.01mm calibration). Using SPSS version 20, Independent sample‘t’ test and step wise discriminant analysis were applied to the significant mean value and reliability of sexual variation.
Results: Independent sample‘t’ test revealed that males have more mean value than females in buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions. Then to find the reliability of sexual variation step wise
iscriminant analysis was applied and it was found that Mesiodistal measurements are better suited than Buccolingual dimensions for sex discrimination when used independently.
Conclusion: The mesiodistal dimension shows significant results marking reliable sexual dimorphism as compared to buccolingual dimension. Thus it can be concludes that both the dimensions must be taken into consideration for effective gender determination when applied in conjugation with skeletal and odontometric traits