Canine index: A tool for determination of sex Anu V.1,*, Vijayakumar Abinaya2, Roy Jude Ritheesh2, Pavan V. Ravi2, Kiran R. Ram2, Jas R. S. Besen2, Abinaya S.2 1Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sathyabama University Dental College, Chennai 2BDS, Sathyabama University Dental College, Chennai *Corresponding Author: DR. V. ANU Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sathyabama University Dental College and Hospital, Jeppiar Nagar, OMR, Chennai Phone: +91 7598478993 Email: pcnanu@gmail.com
Online published on 25 September, 2018. Abstract Background Canines have been found to show sexual dimorphism between males and female. But, there is a conflict in literature showing variation in results among maxillary and mandibular canines, as to which predicts sexual dimorphism accurately. Aim This study was undertaken to assess the morphometric difference in gender determination among Chennai population and to calculate the canine index to determine sexual dimorphism. Materials and Method The mesiodistal width of the maxillary and mandibular canines, intercanine distance of maxilla and mandible was recorded using digital vernier callipers in 75 males and 75 females. Canine index and sexual dimorphism were calculated using standardized equation. Data entered in Windows excel sheet and data analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Student's t test was used to compare the mean difference of all measurements between males and females The Results The mesiodistal distal widths of the canines were more in females and a reverse sexual dimorphism was obtained. Maxillary left canine showed a greater dimorphism of 4.44 followed by maxillary right canine 4.17. Maxillary Canine Index showed 100% percent accurate prediction in the female population while mandibular CI has 88% percent accurate prediction in the male population. Conclusion Canines, though they show a difference between genders, it can be used only as a supplemental tool for gender determination as the percentage of accuracy is <70%. Top Keywords Forensic dentistry, forensic sciences, canine index, odontometry, disasters, sex determination. Top |