Facial indices in lateral cephalogram for sex prediction in Chennai population – A semi-novel study

Abstract

Background: Osteological examination is a very reliable tool to determine the sex of the individual as the consolidation of the dimorphic characteristics concludes the sex of the individual. This study was performed with lateral cephalograms, which is a vital diagnostic tool for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. An index was formed, which could be considered as a reliable sex determinant in forensic applications. Materials and Methods: This pilot study was performed on samples of the Dravidian population. Two-fifty individuals, whose age ranged between 25 and 40 years, were taken (125 subjects were males and 125 subjects were females). A total of ninety-nine cephalometric variables were compared, subjected to statistical analysis and tested for significance using the t -test. Results: Out of a total of 99 variables tested only twenty-four variables showed statistical significance. So, these twenty-four variables were then subjected to discriminant function analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of each variable in predicting the sex of an individual Individually, Ramus length (Ramus ln), Condylion to Gnathion (Co-Gn) and ramus height showed the highest sex determining dependability of 78%. On the flipside, lower anterior facial height (LAFH), with 52%, showed the lowest consistency. Conclusion: From this study, it is clearly evident that cephalometric landmarks are reliable sex determinants to a good extent. All the statistically significant measurements, but one, showed acceptable percentages of reliability. This means the chosen variables can be used for the Dravidian population to robustly determine the sex of the individuals of interest.

Length of cranial base and total face height in cephalograms for sex estimation in Indonesia

“…This result was similar to that of a previous study, which was performed within the Indian and Colombian populations. [14][15][16] However, the mean values of linear measurements from this study differed from previous studies because the present study was conducted with the Indonesian population in Yogyakarta. In addition, several factors, such as sample size and inclusion-exclusion criteria, could also influence this difference.…”

“…4,14 Various cephalometric parameters have been used in sex estimation, and the length of cranial base (Ba-N) and total facial height (N-M) have been proven to have significant accuracy in sex estimation through several previous studies involving diverse populations. [14][15][16] This study represents the pioneering investigation into the utilization of length of cranial base and total face height measurements on the lateral cephalogram for the purpose of sex estimation in the Indonesian population, with a particular emphasis on the specific area of Yogyakarta. The lateral cephalogram has been studied in pediatric and adolescent populations of Indonesia, 18,19 but no studies have investigated cephalogram measurements for sex estimation in the Indonesian population.…”

“…22 Linear measurement of the cranial base is a favorable parameter for sex estimation. 15,16,23 The Ba-N length, known as the length of the cranial or skull base, commonly grows during human development, especially in its early stages. This growth is related to bone deposition in the area of spheno-occipital and spheno-ethmoidal synchondrosis.…”

“…Among the measurements, the length of cranial base, as measured by the Basion-Nasion (Ba-N) length, and total face height, using measurements of Nasion-Menton (N-M) length, can identify significant differences between men and women. [14][15][16] To the best of our knowledge, the application of lateral cephalograms for sex estimation has not been previously conducted within the Indonesian population. This study aims to determine the differences in the length of cranial base (Ba-N) and total face height (N-M) between men and women and to identify a sex estimation method using these parameters for the Indonesian population.…”

Geometric morphometric analysis for sex determination using lateral cephalograms in Indian population: A preliminary study

“…in a study done on south Indian population on facial indices in lateral cephalogram obtained statistical significance with highest sex determining dependability of 78%. [ 16 ]…”