Application of odontometric dimensions of molars in sex assessment in Bulgarians

Abstract

Introduction: Sex estimation is an important step in developing a biological profile. Teeth are one of the most durable physical elements in the human body and thus can be used very successfully for this purpose. The aim of the present study was to determine sex differences in odontometric dimensions of maxillary and mandibular molars in Bulgarians. Materials and methods: The study included 232 healthy subjects (121 males, 111 females) of Bulgarian origin in the age group of 20–40 years, with fully erupted, periodontal disease free, caries free, non-worn teeth. Vestibulolingual, mesiodistal and cervicoincisal (coronal height) dimensions of maxillary and mandibular molars were measured by Dentistry Sliding Vernier Caliper, Ridge Mapping Caliper Type A and Type B and analyzed with SPSS 23.0. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Cervicoincisal dimensions in both maxillary and mandibular molars, except for the maxillary left second molars, were significantly higher in males compared to females. Similar statistically significant differences were found in mesiodistal dimensions in first molars from both jaws. Vestibulolingual dimensions in both maxillary and mandibular first molars and mandibular second molars were significantly higher in males compared to females as well. Conclusions: The results of our measurements exhibited statistically significant sex differences in both maxillary and mandibular molars in people of Bulgarian origin. In accordance with similar odontometric studies, molars may successfully differentiate both sexes and thus determine the need for further investigations in this field.