Evaluation and comparison of linear and diagonal odontometry of first molars as a tool for gender discrimination; assessed in a population from Maharashtra.

Abstract

Linear odontometry is customarily used in gender determination which can pose difficulties in cases of tooth decay, attrition since they mainly involve the proximal surfaces. The present cross-sectional observation study, estimated the efficacy of alternative measurements, that is, diagonal measurements and cervical measurements in gender determination in comparison to routine odontometry. A total of 200 dental cast models (upper and lower) of 100 individuals (50 male and 50 female) from Maharashtra state were included. Univariate discriminant function analysis showed that, in maxillary molars, MD width gave the highest gender dimorphism of 64%, followed by BL with 62%. In the mandibular teeth, MD gave an accuracy of 75% followed by MB-DL with 73%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that overall diagonal and linear measurements gave the highest dimorphism of 81% with 80% correctly identified as females and 82% as males. The mandibular MD, BL and MB-DL gave an accuracy of 79% with 78% corrected identified as females and 80% correctly identified as males. Mandibular ML-DB and Cervical DB-CML together gave an accuracy of 77% and mandibular MD with75%. Thus, the study proves that diagonal measurements give almost equivalent or better results than linear measurements in gender determination.