Sex estimation from mandible using lateral cephalogram: A short study

Abstract

The mandible is seen as an important tool for radiological identification because of several growth parameters that can be exploited  using cephalometric analysis, ease of imaging, and no overlying bony structures. These parameters can be handy in sex estimation in  extreme situations like mass disasters, remains of dead, exhumed and murderous mutilations, missing or severely burnt individuals,  etc. The study was conducted on randomized 80 lateral cephalograms obtained from the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology.  The three linear measurements of mandibular growth were mandibular body length, mandibular length and mandibular height. Gonial  angle was measured as the angle formed by the ramus line (RL) and mandibular line (ML). The values obtained were statistically  analyzed by Student's t-test using SPSS version 24.0. After obtaining all the measurements, unpaired 't-test' was performed. The  gonial angle, height of ramus, mandibular length showed statistically significant sex difference. Whereas mandibular body length  were statistically non-significant in gender determination. The linear and angular parameters used in the study, when combined  together, might prove to be of importance in studying the growth pattern of mandible in males and females for sex estimation.