An Establishment of Sexual Dimorphism by odontometric study of permanent maxillary canines among dental students : a cross sectional study

Aim & Objectives: To investigate sexual dimorphism by odontometric study of permanent maxillary canine teeth & to establish the effectiveness of maxillary canine index in sexual dimorphism. Materials and Method – A total of 100 dental students aged 17- 25 years were finalized for study. Following verbal consent, impressions of the upper arch were made using alginate material and casts were poured in dental stone. Mesio-distal diameter (MD) and inter-canine width (ICW) measurements of permanent maxillary canine were obtained using a sliding digital caliper and maxillary canine index was calculated. Results- The mesio-distal diameter of maxillary canines for both right (p=0.001) and left sides (p=0.005) was significantly higher among male subjects than females, Similar observation was found for inter-canine width too (p=0.0001). In contrast, the maxillary canine index (MCI) for right and left was statistically insignificance (p>0.05) for both male and female subjects. Conclusion - Maxillary canines can be used in gender identification as an aid for forensic odontology.