Assessment of Dental Sexual Dimorphism in Children Using Odontometry: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Aim and objective: To measure the mandibular canine dimension, intercanine distance, and calculate the mandibular canine index (MCI) to assess their usefulness in gender determination. Materials and methods:The study was performed on 60 boys and 60 girls. Impressions of both the arches were made using alginate material, poured in dental stone, and was allowed to set and then the cast bases were made with dental plaster. A digital Vernier caliper was used for obtaining the measurements. The intermolar arch width, intercanine width, and MCI were calculated. Sexual dimorphism was calculated using the formula given by Garn and Lewis. The data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired "t" test. Results: There was no statistical significance seen in the mandibular intermolar and intercanine distance between the two groups. The MCI between males and females showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Intermolar distance, intercanine distance, and MCI can be used as an alternative tool for sex determination as an inexpensive and alternative method. Clinical significance: The first study in itself to determine gender in the pediatric population in the city of Davangere, India.