Sexual Dimorphism in the Permanent Dentition of a Turkish Population

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in buccolingual and mesiodistal crown diameters between males and females in a Turkish population. Methods: Buccolingual and mesiodistal crown diameters were measured from orthodontic diagnostic models of 50 male and 70 female patients. The measurements were carried out on 28 teeth, including the lower and upper second molar teeth. To eliminate error, measurements were repeated at a different time by the same investigator on 25 randomly selected models. Results: Strong correlations were found between the first and second measurements. The results of the study reveal that male teeth are larger in both dimensions than female teeth. Statistically significant differences exist between the sexes in the majority of teeth (except upper I2 and lower I1 mesiodistally and lower I2 buccolingually). Dimorphism was more pronounced in buccolingual measurements than in mesiodistal measurements. The most significant sexual dimorphism was found in the upper and lower canines mesiodistally and in the upper incisors and upper molars buccolingually. Conclusion: This study reveals dental size differences between the sexes in a Turkish population. It provides important information for dentists, anthropologists, and forensic specialists.