Sex Predictability by Using Mandibular Canine Index

Alok Atreya; Rijen Shrestha; Lujaw Ratna Tuladhar; Samata Nepal; Raju Shrestha; Sanjay Kumar Sah

Alok Atreya Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital, Palpa, Nepal
Rijen Shrestha Maharajgunj Medical Campus,Kathmandu, Nepal
Lujaw Ratna Tuladhar Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
Samata Nepal Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital, Palpa, Nepal
Raju Shrestha Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital, Palpa, Nepal
Sanjay Kumar Sah Lumbini Medical College Teaching Hospital, Palpa, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Canines are known for their higher resistance to trauma and pathological alterations when compared to other teeth. Among all the teeth, canines show highest sexual dimorphism.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was commenced from January 2019 to April 2019 after the ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee. The maximum mesio-distal widths of right and left mandibular canines and mandibular inter-canine arch width were measured on the cast with the help of a divider and digital vernier callipers. Mandibular canine index was calculated by dividing the mesio-distal width of each mandibular canine with inter-canine arch width. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.
Results: Sex predictability by using mandibular canine index in the present study showed poor sex predictability (57.5% - 62.5%).
Conclusions: Sex determination should be done by other methods and mandibular canine index should be used cautiously in Nepalese population.
Keywords: Canine dimorphism; forensic anthropology; forensic dentistry; forensic identification, sex determination.