Evaluation of sexual dimorphism in the permanent dentition by maxillary first molar

Abstract

Background: The present study was conducted for assessing Sexual Dimorphism in the Permanent Dentition by maxillary first molar. Materials & methods: 20 subjects were analysed among which 10 were males while the remaining 10 were females. All the subjects belonged to the age range of 18 to 28 years. Only those subjects were enrolled who reported for orthodontic treatment and had fully erupted maxillary and mandibular first molars. The subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria were subjected to impression making of the maxillary arch with irreversible hydrocolloid (alginate) material and casts poured immediately in type II dental stone to minimize dimensional change. Measurement of buccolingual (BL) and mesiodistal (MD) width of the maxillary first molar (16) was done by vernier calliper both intra-orally and on study casts. Results: Statistically maxillary permanent first molars showed the nonsignificant difference; thus, they are a better predictor for gender dimorphism. Conclusion: The permanent maxillary first molars is suggestive of a better predictor of sexual dimorphism.