Significance of Mesiodistal Diameter of the Mandibular Permanent Canine in Sexual Dimorphism

Teeth are known for being the most resistant mineralized tissue against different agents of destruction. They are useful in determination of gender by using different odontometric techniques. In cases where postcranial bones are fragmented or unavailable, measurements of the mandibular canine tooth can provide a mean of determining sex as amongst all the teeth, the mandibular canines are found to exhibit greatest sexual dimorphism. In the present study, the mesiodistal diameter of the mandibular canines was measured in 60 North Indian subjects (M: F:: 30: 30) in the age group of 17–21 years. The mesiodistal diameter of the Indian population was compared with that of different populations. This comparison was done as factors such as race, sex, heredity; nutrition and environment are known to be responsible for tooth size variability. It was found that in all the populations, the mesiodistal diameter of the males exceeded that of the females.