Comparison of Inter-Canine and Inter-Molar Width as an Aid in Gender Determination: A Preliminary Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/Keywords:
Maxillary arch, Mandibular arch, Inter-canine arch width, Inter-molar arch width, Gender determinationAbstract
The dentition use in gender determination has been explored and advocated owing to its strength and resistance to various insults. Our aim was to determine and evaluate the usefulness of inter-molar arch width in gender determination. Our objective was to compare these distances in determination of gender and to validate its use as a forensic tool. Fifty subjects were selected and impressions were made for both the arches with alginate. Study models were prepared and used for analysis. Inter-canine and inter-molar width in maxillary arch for male and female were 35.22 ± 1.54 and 33.49 ± 1.49; and 48.74 ± 1.89 and 45.44 ± 1.92 respectively. Inter-canine and inter-molar width in mandibular arch for male and female were 25.58 ± 1.37 and 25.29 ± 1.50; and 42.45 ± 2.00 and 39.53 ± 1.87 respectively. Thus, these measurements were significantly higher in males. On using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve to deduce values with high specificity maxillary inter-molar arch width gave high specificity of 92% to detect gender correctly, with best sensitivity i.e. 64%. Therefore, we conclude that inter-molar arch width is useful in determining the gender of dental remains accurately, of individuals with missing canine teeth.
Downloads
References
Sonika V, Harshaminder K, Madhushankari GS, Kennath JA. Sexual dimorphism in the permanent maxillary first molar: A study of the Haryana population (India). J. Forensic Odontostomatology. 2011; 29(1): 37-43.
Sherfudhin H, Abdullah MA, Khan N. A cross-sectional study of canine dimorphism in establishing sex identity: Comparison of two statistical methods. J. Oral Rehabil. 1996; 23(9): 627-31.
Kapila R, Nagesh KS, R Iyengar A, Mehkri S. Sexual dimorphism in human mandibular canines: a radiomorphometric study in South Indian population. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2011; 5(2): 51-4.
Gorea RK, Sharma M. Odontometric study of canines in Indian population for sex determination. JINPAFO. 2010; 1: 34-37 5. Reddy VM, Saxena S and Bansal P. Mandibular canine index as a sex determinant: A study on the population of western Uttar Pradesh. J. Oral Maxillofac. Pathol. 2008; 12: 56-59
Ash MM, Nelson SJ. Wheeler`s Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion. 8th Ed. New Delhi: Elsevier; 2003.p.53.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_precautions; 16/04/13 8. Acharya AB, Mainali S. Limitations of the mandibular canine index in sex assessment. J Forensic Leg Med. 2009; 16(2): 67-9. 9. Acharya AB, Angadi PV, Prabhu S, Nagnur S. Validity of the mandibular canine index (MCI) in sex prediction: Reassessment in an Indian sample. Forensic Sci Int. 2011 Jan30; 204(1-3): 207. 10. Boaz K, Gupta C. Dimorphism in human maxillary and mandibular canines in establishment of gender. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2009; 1: 42-44
Hussein KW, Rajion ZA, Hassan R, Noor SN. Variations in tooth size and arch dimensions in Malay school children. Aust Orthod J. 2009; 25(2): 163-8.
Bishara SE, Treder JE, Damon P, Olsen M. Changes in the dental arches and dentition between 25 and 45 years of age. Angle Orthod. 1996; 66(6): 417-22.
Ling JY, Wong RW. Dental arch widths of Southern Chinese. Angle Orthod. 2009; 79(1): 54-63.
Rai B, Kaur J, Dhattarwal SK, Rathee SK, Anand SC. Changing Maxillary and Mandibular Inter-canine and Inter-molar Distance between 8 to 20 years: Male and Female. Internet Journal of Forensic Science. 2008; 3(1): 4.
