Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 1

Sexual Dimorphism in Maxillary and Mandibular Canines-a Cross Sectional Study

  • Author:
  • Sunil S Kadam1,, Pravinkumar N Kamaradgi2, Vijayakumar B Jatti3, Anand B Patil4
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 14 to 17

1Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere

2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere

3Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere

4Postgraduate, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere

*Corresponding address: Dr. Sunil S Kadam Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere-577005, Mobile: 09844126674, Email ID: sunilskadam76@gmail.com

Online published on 2 January, 2016.

Abstract

Sex determination is considered an important step in reconstructing the biological profile of an unknown individual from the forensic context.1 The assessment of sex is statistically the most important criterion, as it immediately excludes approximately half the population. In most of the cases, bones are routinely used for sex determination. The teeth can be used as an additional tool for same purpose as the teeth are the hardest and chemically most stable tissues in the body, characterized by extraordinary resistance to putrefaction and the effect of external agents such as physical, trauma, heat, chemical or biological that cause the destruction of the soft parts of the body structure.

To determine the sex of individuals by morphometric analysis of teeth and to evaluate and compare the reliability of mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions of maxillary and mandibular canines in determination of sex.

The study included the mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions of 50 south Indian students (25 males and 25 females) in the age group of 18-25years. Measurements were taken on the dental casts of each of the subjects using Sliding Vernier's Caliper. Results: The maxillary canines showed highest sexual dimorphism than compared to mandibular canines. The mesio-distal dimension of right maxillary canine exhibited highly significant sexual dimorphism.

The present study established the existence of statistically significant sexual dimorphism in maxillary canines.

Keywords

Buccolingual, Canine, Mesiodistal, Sexual Dimorphism etc