The Value of Maxillary Central Incisors and Canines in Gender Determination as an Aid in Forensic Dentistry

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the gender of a sample of Iraqi adults utilizing the mesio-distal width of maxillary central incisors and canines and to determine the percentage of dimorphism as an aid in forensic dentistry. Materials and methods: The sample included 230 subjects (115 males and 115 females) with an age ranged between 17- 25 years and Class I dental and skeletal relations. Study casts were taken for each subject and the mesio-distal crown dimension was measured manually from the contact points for the maxillary central incisors and canines (both sides) using digital vernier caliper gauge. Descriptive statistics were obtained for the measurements for both genders; independent samples t-test was performed to evaluate the gender difference, percentage of dimorphism and stepwise discriminant function statistics were performed to determine the teeth that can be used for gender identification in addition to the percentage of gender identification accuracy. Results and Conclusions: Generally, the mesio-distal dimensions of the maxillary central incisor and canine were larger in males than females with a high significant difference (P . 0.001). Stepwise discriminant function statistics indicated that the right central incisor and canine were the most predominant teeth in gender identification and the accuracy of identification reached up to 69.6%. Keywords: Mesio-distal tooth dimension, Forensic dentistry, gender determination.