Determination of gender from occlusal radiographic measurements

Introduction: Gender determination not only reflects a social demand, but also follows medico-legal requirements. Many-a-times, only the part of skull is available for forensic examination. Cases where corpses are unrecognizable, medical/dental records and radiographs help in differentiation of gender. Dental arches analysis by occlusal radiographic measurements can be used for identification of a person. Aim: To determine gender by analyzing dental arches using occlusal radiographic measurements. Materials and Method: One hundred twenty standard occlusal radiographs of 30 males and 30 females in age range of 20-25 years were taken and traced. Median line and a line touching vestibular portions of central incisors were drawn. From this intersecting point ‘I', a line was drawn to vestibular portion of canine, second premolar and second molar on both sides, in both arches, for angular measurements. Linear measurements relative to the width of the arches were made in three segments- canines, premolars and second molars. The obtained data was statistically analysed. Result: All the linear measurements were larger in males than in females. All linear measurements were found statistically highly significant, suggesting very good gender differentiation; whereas only two angles ‘MIC'L and ‘CIA'L were found applicable (p<0.05) for gender differentiation. Conclusion: Linear measurements can be used as a definite key measurements for gender differentiation in Indian population, whereas only two angular measurement can be used for gender determination.