Comparative Study of Mandibular Canine Index and Maxillary Canine Index in Sex Estimation among North Indian Population

Introduction: Since teeth are easily approachable and each having different morphology, they form an excellent medicolegal and anthropological tool for sex estimation. Sexual dimorphism is difference in size and appearance among male and female teeth that can be applied for determination of sex. The basis of estimation of sex is comparing tooth parameters in male and female individual. Canine teeth shows highest sexual dimorphism among all teeth. Mesiodistal width of maxillary and mandibular canine can be used for sex determination based on sexual dimorphism.Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the comparative sex estimation by mandibular canine index andmaxillary canine index in north Indian population.Materials and Methods: The sample comprised of dental impression from 120 individuals (60 males and 60females), all young adults between 20 and 35 years of age. Impressions of the teeth were made using irreversible hydrocolloid (alginate) material and casts poured in dental stone. Mesiodistal dimensions and intercanine distance of mandibular and maxillary canine of both right and left side was measured by caliper. Mandibular and maxillary canine index was calculated by formula given by Nageshwar Rao et al.Results: Data were summarized as Mean and SD. Groups (in Gender Male vs female) were compared by unpaired or independent Student’s t test. When the level of accuracy for sex determination was measured using canine index it was found that 65% males and 65.83% females were predicted correctly. When maxillary canine index was used the sex was correctly predicted in it was found that 40.83% females and 32.50% males were predicted correctly.Conclusion: Mandibular and maxillary canine index can be used for sex estimation in North Indian population but accuracy of mandibular canine index is better than maxillary canine index.