ASSESSING THE RELIABILITY OF MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY MOLAR IN DETERMINING SEX DIMORPHISM

Background: Odontometric measurements of human dentition serve as a reliable tool in forensic odontology
that aids in personal identification. The morphometry of permanent human teeth is well established in literature,
however only few studies have been performed on primary teeth.
Aim: To evaluate the reliability of morphometric analysis of the deciduous second molar for sex dimorphism
among Indian children from Gulbarga city.
Material and methods: The current study was performed on 258 sets of maxillary and mandibular diagnostic
dental casts obtained from Indian children residing in Gulbarga city. With a digital Vernier calliper the
measurements recorded are Mesiodistal width (MD), Cervico occlusal height(CO), Buccolingual/Buccopalatal
width(BL/BP) and Intermolar width (IMW) of all the four primary second molars.
Results: The mean linear dimension of primary second molar with respect to MD, CO, BL/BP, and maxillary
intermolar width was higher in males as compared to that of females. A significant difference in MD width
between genders was observed in the primary maxillary molars 55 and 65 (p<0.05). The BL/BP width of
maxillary and mandibular molar showed a significant difference between the genders for 55,65,75 and 85
(p<0.05). No statistical significant correlation between primary maxillary and mandibular molars was noted for
the parameter CO and intermolar width between the genders (p>0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, sexual dimorphism is noted in the primary dentition similar to that found in
permanent dentition. Our results displayed that the boys had higher linear dimensions of the second primary
molars as compared to the girls.