Mandibular Dimensions as a Predictor of Sex in a Sample of Assiut Governorate population

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt

2 Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of dentistry, Assiut University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Sex determination is a critical component of identification. The mandible which is the most dimorphic, largest, and strongest bone in the skull that is often recovered largely intact, it is important for determining gender in situations where a whole dry skull cannot be found. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), was found to be better than conventional techniques, according to studies. A low radiation dose can be obtained by using a CBCT equipment to produce 3D images that are undistorted and of high quality. Measurement of the morphometric parameters of the 3D mandible models in the Assiut Governorate population as well as assessment of how well measures could be used to identify gender, were the goals of this study.Purpose: assess accuracy of various parameters of the mandible for sex determination by Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Patients and Methods: CBCT radiographs of 200 mandibles of males and females with varying ages range from (18_80) years , at the Department of oral and maxillofacial radiology department, Faculty of Dentistry, Assiut University.
Five mandibular parameters were measured in mm using the mouse-driven method.Results: Several mandibular parameters were measured and compared including gonial angle (GA), Mandibular ramus length (MRL), Mandibular ramus breadth (MRB), Mandibular body length (MBL) and Mandibular canine tooth length (MCL).All variables of mandible on CBCT models were found to demonstrate a statistically significant difference among the sex (p < 0.05). Females had a markedly larger mean GA compared to males, while males displayed significantly greater mean MRL, MRB, MBL and MCL. This indicates clear sexual dimorphism patterns in these mandibular measurements.
Conclusions:, Mandibular measurements are an useful tool for sex determination.

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