Sex determination by radiographic localization of the inferior alveolar canal using cone-beam computed tomography in an Egyptian population

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the location of the inferior alveolar canal in male and female Egyptians. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study involved the evaluation of 210 CBCT scans of Egyptian individuals (18-70 years old). The inferior alveolar canal was localized by measuring 8 linear dimensions: 2 for the vertical localization of the mental foramen (superior and inferior to the mental foramen), 4 at the first molar bifurcation for the vertical and horizontal localization of the inferior alveolar canal (superior, inferior, buccal, and lingual to the inferior alveolar canal), and 2 for the horizontal localization of the mandibular foramen (anterior and posterior to the mandibular foramen). The measurements were statistically analyzed via comparative analysis, stepwise logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Six of the 8 measured distances differed to a statistically significant extent between the sexes. Regression analysis suggested a logistic function with a concordance index of 84%. The diagnostic accuracy capabilities of the linear measurements as sex predictors were calculated using ROC analysis, and the 6 best predictors for sex determination were selected and ranked from highest to lowest predictive power. Moreover, combining these 6 predictors increased the predictive power to 84%. Conclusion:The location of the inferior alveolar canal in the Egyptian population varies significantly by sex; accordingly, this anatomic landmark could be used as a reliable indicator of sexual dimorphism.

CBCT Evaluation of Buccolingual Orientation of Inferior Alveolar Canal in Mandibular Posterior Region for Implant Planning

“…Another study conducted by Angel et al [ 24 ] found that most of the measured distances showed no significant difference between sexes in American population, which is in line with this study. The findings in this study were slightly not in accordance with the studies done by Mirbeigi et al [ 12 ], Balaji et al [ 13 ], Mousa et al [ 19 ], and Nagadia et al [ 25 ] where all the buccal and lingual distances were not statistically significant between both sexes. This difference may be caused by the various ethnicities of patients used in each study as Mirbeigi et al [ 12 ] studied Iranian population, Balaji et al [ 13 ] studied South Indian population, and Mousa et al [ 19 ] studied Egyptian population while Nagadia et al [ 25 ] used Chinese population as their subject samples.…”

“…The findings in this study were slightly not in accordance with the studies done by Mirbeigi et al [ 12 ], Balaji et al [ 13 ], Mousa et al [ 19 ], and Nagadia et al [ 25 ] where all the buccal and lingual distances were not statistically significant between both sexes. This difference may be caused by the various ethnicities of patients used in each study as Mirbeigi et al [ 12 ] studied Iranian population, Balaji et al [ 13 ] studied South Indian population, and Mousa et al [ 19 ] studied Egyptian population while Nagadia et al [ 25 ] used Chinese population as their subject samples. These studies examined different populations, and the variations in genetics, diet, habits, and customs may result in distinct anatomic features [ 26 ].…”

“…Most of the IANs exited through mental foramen in second premolar regions, but in subjects where IANs were still found, males presented with higher percentage of IANs located at the center while females showed higher percentage of IANs located on the buccal side. The variation between sexes is due to difference in the degree of bone growth in the adult phase which is controlled by sex hormones and muscular tension [ 19 ]. Sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can influence the speed of bone growth, contributing to the differences in the development of the craniofacial morphology between both sexes [ 19 ].…”

“…The variation between sexes is due to difference in the degree of bone growth in the adult phase which is controlled by sex hormones and muscular tension [ 19 ]. Sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can influence the speed of bone growth, contributing to the differences in the development of the craniofacial morphology between both sexes [ 19 ].…”

The Accuracy of Sex Identification Using CBCT Morphometric Measurements of the Mandible, with Different Machine-Learning Algorithms—A Retrospective Study

“…This can be attributed to the fact that during male growth, testosterone levels; and the more extended puberty phase, with a related longer duration of bone growth; affected the bone size. Another consideration is the muscular tension that encourages bone growth; because males have stronger masticatory muscles than females, the mandible is generally more developed in males [30,31].…”