Acta Scientific Dental Sciences (ISSN: 2581-4893) Volume 6 Issue 10 October 2022 Morphometric Analysis of Mandible for Sex Determination Research Article Rishal Mohammed P*, Jasmine Jose, Dlishad Banu and Dhanya S Consultant Oral Pathologist at Malabar Dental Clinic, Kerala, India *Corresponding Author: Rishal Mohammed P, Consultant Oral Pathologist at Malabar Dental Clinic, Kerala, India. Received: August 04, 2022 Published: September 23, 2022 © All rights are reserved by Rishal Mohammed P. Abstract Human identification is required chiefly for legal reasons. It is also required on humanitarian basis also. The primary step in any identification process is determination of the sex, which forms the basis of other subsequent methods for age and stature estimation. Mandible may play a key role in sex determination as it is the most dimorphic, largest and strongest bone of the skull. Dimorphism in mandible is with respect to size and shape and are usually larger and stronger in males than in females. Some studies were conducted on behalf of the mental foramen in sex determination. The need of the hour was to design the present study to determine sex using seven variables on mandibular ramus, intercondylar distance and position of mental foramen in South Indian population. Aim was to measure, compare, and evaluate the various measurements of the mandibular ramus, position of mental foramen and intercondylar distance for sexual dimorphism in digital OPGs. The digital panoramic radiographs of 300 subjects aged 20-60 years based on inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for the study. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Results showed that 10 out of 14 variables measured in this study showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in gender. So it can be concluded that the above used landmarks can be used for sex determination either on dry mandible or through OPG. Keywords: Mandible; OPG; Gender; Forensic Odontology; Morphometry Introduction Human identification is required chiefly for legal reasons. It is also required on humanitarian basis also. The primary step in any identification process is determination of the sex, which forms the basis of other subsequent methods for age and stature estimation [12]. An accurate sex determination can only be considered when the whole adult skeleton is used for analysis [3]. That is not the case in mass disasters where usually only fragmented bones are available, and hence 100% accuracy of sex determination may not be possible. Pelvis bone is considered in such situations for sex determination. Other than pelvis skull, the most dimorphic and easily sexed portion of the skeleton can also be considered which is said to be providing an accuracy about 92%. The difference in growth pattern and the early maturation rate of skeletal bones in females compared males is the reason for this dimorphism [4]. Mandible which is often recovered intact is used for the analysis [5]. Dimorphism in mandible is with respect to size and shape, and are usually larger and stronger in males than in females. High durability of mandible is because of its dense compact bone and is hence well preserved compared other bones [6]. Dimorphism in mandible is with respect to size and shape and are usually larger and stronger in males than in females. Giles in 1964 has used non- metric discrete traits for sex determination using mandible [7]. Many studies using metric methods were conducted on mandible such as discriminant function analysis [8]. 60.3%, 70.9%, 76% are the minimum accuracy obtained so far in the studies conducted in India where metric methods were used. Several studies have been conducted using dry adult mandibles for sex determination [9]. DOI: 10.31080/ASDS.2022.06.1475 Citation: Rishal Mohammed P. “Morphometric Analysis of Mandible for Sex Determination". Acta Scientific Dental Sciences 6.10 (2022): 86-90.