D e n ti s t r y ISSN: 2161-1122 Dentistry Chinagorom et al., Dentistry 2018, 8:6 DOI: 10.4172/2161-1122.1000493 Open Access Research Article Voume 8 • Issue 6 • 1000493 Dentistry, an open access journal ISSN: 2161-1122 *Corresponding author: Amasiatu Valentine Chidozie, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, Tel: +234 8063956087; E-mail: valamasiatu@gmail.com Received May 22, 2018; Accepted June 05, 2018; Published June 08, 2018 Citation: Chinagorom PI, Chidozie AV, Tom AA (2018) Sex Estimation by Odontometric Study of the Maxillary Canine Teeth using Discriminant Function Analysis. Dentistry 8: 493. doi:10.4172/2161-1122.1000493 Copyright: © 2018 Chinagorom PI, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Sex Estimation by Odontometric Study of the Maxillary Canine Teeth using Discriminant Function Analysis Ibeachu Chinagorom P 1 , Amasiatu Valentine Chidozie 1 * and Amah Aperepikiya Tom 2 1 Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria 2 Department of Biomedical Technology, School of Science Laboratory Technology, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Nick et al. [6]; Abdol et al. [7] and Rahul et al. [8]; found the maxillary canine width (mesio-distal dimension) as a tool for sex determination, while Shalini et al. [9]; Gupta et al. [10] and Parekh et al [2] also observed this diference in inter-canine width. Mohammed et al [11] also found the mesio-distal width of the maxillary canines, inter-canine width and standard maxillary canine index to be higher in males and also useful in sex estimation. Ayeesha et al. [12] found ethnic diference in maxillary and mandibular canine width in South Indian and Central Indian populations. While Sherfudhin et al. [13] and Srivastava [14] recorded signifcance diference in lower (mandibular) canines. Terefore, the study was carried out to estimate sex using some odontometric parameters from the maxillary canine of University of Port Harcourt Students. Materials and Methods Te study involved 100 volunteer subjects (50 males and 50 females aged 17 to 30 years) who were all students of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the College of Health Sciences, Keywords: Maxillary canine; Sexual dimorphism; Discriminant function analysis and sex estimation Introduction Human identifcation is one of the most daunting challenges that man has been confronted with over time. Sex estimation is actually one of the most useful procedures in determining the biological profle of a yet to be identifed human remains, since a correct result would automatically exclude about half the population in search operations [1]. Concerning sex estimation from human remains, many anatomical structures have been used, but the teeth appears to be the most reliable method, since the teeth is the most durable (have the ability to withstand post mortem events for a long period of time) and resilient part of the skeleton. Sex can therefore be estimated by comparing the dental features (tooth dimensions). Teeth are known to be unique organs made of the most enduring mineralized tissues in the human body, as such, they have an extraordinary resistance to putrefaction and the efects of external agents (physical, thermal, mechanical, chemical or biological) which makes them invaluable elements for anthropological, genetic, odontologic, evolutionary and forensic investigations [2]. Embryologically, it appears when embryonic cells grow and erupt into the mouth. Te teeth are held within the jaw bones and therefore serve several important functions aside chewing [3]. Tooth extraction is the most frequently performed dental procedure. However, the maxillary as well as mandibular canines among other teeth are the least extracted being less afected by periodontal diseases [2]. It is therefore likely to remain intact even when a larger percentage of other teeth are already extracted, which explains why it was chosen for this study. A number of authors have carried out studies to estimate sex using odontometric parameters. Madhavi et al. [4]; Staka and Bimbashi [5]; Abstract Sex estimation till date remains an importance if not the frst step in any forensic investigation. The present study thus seeks to evaluate sexual dimorphism and estimate sex from the maxillary canine teeth of the University of Port- Harcourt Students. The study was carried out at the dental clinic of the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital. A total of hundred (100) volunteer student subjects comprising 50 Males (M) and 50 Females (F) were involved in the study. An impression of upper jaw was made using alginate impression material and casts were prepared using dental stone. A 150mm digital venier caliper with 0.001mm accuracy was used to measure the following six (6) parameters [inter-canine width (ICW), Inter-premolar width (IPMW), Inter-molar width (IMW), Left and right maxillary width (LCCW, RCCW) and Maxillary depth (MD)]. Analysis was done using t-test and discriminant function analysis. The mean ICW (M = 41.70 ± 3.22 mm, F = 40.72 ± 2.64 mm), IMW (M = 60.432 ± 0.86 mm, F = 59.62 ± 0.38 mm) and MD (M = 20.875 ± 0.55 mm, F = 20.192 ± 0.36 mm) of males were statistically insignifcant at P < 0.05 when compared to that of the females. However, the LCCW (M = 7.857 ± 0.07 mm, F = 7.417 ± 0.07 mm) and RCCW (M = 7.863 ± 0.07, F = 7.521 ± 0.06mm) as well as the IPMW (M = 55.113 ± 0.36mm, F = 53.098 ± 0.41 mm) statistically signifcant at P < 0.05, hence sexually dimorphic. A discriminant function equation [Sex = -19.533 + -0.096 (ICW) + 0.242 (IPMW) + -0.063 (IMW) + -0.029 (MD) + 1.197 (LCCW) + 0.731 (RCCW)] was derived for sex estimation with values tending towards -0.549 suggesting that the unknown individual is likely a female, while values tending towards 0.549 suggests a male. The fndings made in the present study will however, play a substantive role in forensic investigation especially in the University of Port Harcourt.