Digital analysis of linear measurements related to the mental and mandibular foramina in sex determination

Abstract

Background: In forensic anthropology, the mental and mandibular foramina are important anatomic landmarks in mandibular region, useful in gender identification in forensic dentistry. Objectives: This study is carried out to predict the validity of the vertical measurements related to the mental and mandibular foramina on digital panoramic images in sex determination. Methodology: A total of 60 patients, 30 males, and 30 females were examined; age distribution was ranging between 20 and 49 years. Four linear vertical measurements were performed on the radiographic image of each subject on both sides of the mandible. Results: Comparison of both sides of mandible was similar with slight discrepancies in measurements, hence any side can be used for analysis, and the means of overall values for D1, D2, D3 and D4 were significantly higher in male than female. According to the analysis, D2 is highly sensitive, D1 highly accurate, D3 highly specific and D4 highly significant. Conclusion: Results revealed differences between the genders in all of the four measurements in this study, therefore these measurements were sensitive parameters to predict male gender and differentiate it from female and hence they could be applied successfully in forensic dentistry.

Mandibular Canal Course and the Position of the Mental Foramen by Panoramic X-Ray in Chilean Individuals

“…Alves [ 28 ] carried out a study in macerated mandibles of individuals with different degrees of edentulism and observed that the MF presented closest to the alveolar ridge in edentate mandibles, followed by mandibles with posterior edentation, and finally dentate mandibles; this shows that alveolar resorption can lead to a change in MF location in the mandible, bringing it closer to the alveolar ridge, leading in turn to a higher risk of complications for procedures in this region. In the present study, we found symmetry and marked difference between genders for these two distances, which are greater in males than in females, which corroborates previous studies [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 ]. Due to the marked gender difference, distances D1 and D2 are powerful indicators which can be used to determine the sex of individuals [ 12 ].…”

“…In the present study, we found symmetry and marked difference between genders for these two distances, which are greater in males than in females, which corroborates previous studies [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 ]. Due to the marked gender difference, distances D1 and D2 are powerful indicators which can be used to determine the sex of individuals [ 12 ]. Age had no major impact on distances D1 and D2; an age group effect was only found for distance D2 on the right side, which was greater in younger females.…”

“…In this research, the distance from the MF to the base of mandible (D1) was shorter than the distance from the MF to the alveolar ridge, showing that the MF is closer to the base of mandible; this corroborates earlier studies [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 27 ]. Furthermore, in females aged 35 or over and in males aged between 18 and 34 years, a negative correlation was observed between distances, corroborating the above finding.…”

“…Age had no major impact on distances D1 and D2; an age group effect was only found for distance D2 on the right side, which was greater in younger females. The D1 value in our study of Chilean individuals was similar to that reported for Brazilian [ 10 , 16 ] and Indian [ 11 , 12 , 15 ] individuals, greater than that reported for Iraqis [ 13 , 14 ], and less than another study in Brazilians [ 9 ] ( Table 5 ). Distance D2 was greater in Brazilian [ 10 , 16 ] and Indian [ 12 ] individuals and similar in Iraqis [ 13 ] when compared to the present sample of Chilean individuals ( Table 5 ).…”

“…The D1 value in our study of Chilean individuals was similar to that reported for Brazilian [ 10 , 16 ] and Indian [ 11 , 12 , 15 ] individuals, greater than that reported for Iraqis [ 13 , 14 ], and less than another study in Brazilians [ 9 ] ( Table 5 ). Distance D2 was greater in Brazilian [ 10 , 16 ] and Indian [ 12 ] individuals and similar in Iraqis [ 13 ] when compared to the present sample of Chilean individuals ( Table 5 ). It bears noting that knowledge of MF location in relation to the inferior border of the mandible, the alveolar ridge, and adjacent teeth is important for avoiding lesions to the mental nerve during procedures in the region, such as genioplasty, apical curettage in the inferior premolar area, surgical extractions, dental implants, mandibular fracture fixation, and periodontal surgery [ 29 ].…”