Importance Of Maxillary First Molar For Sex Determination

摘要

Teeth form an excellent material for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations. Amongst all the teeth, the maxillary first molar is found to exhibit greatest sexual dimorphism. To define the morphometric criteria for maxillary first molar in North India, the present study has been conducted in 102 patients (M:F - 52:50) in the age group of 17-25 years.It was seen that a definite statistically significant sexual dimorphism exist in the maxillary molar whether measurements are taken on casts or intraorally. It is concluded that whenever the Bucco-lingual of either molar is more than 10.7 mm, the probability of sex being male is 100% while if it is less than 10.7 mm the sex could be 82% female. Introduction Identification of living person and the dead is of paramount importance in forensic practice routinely.1 Sex estimation is one of the prime factors employed to establish identity. Teeth are excellent material in living and nonliving populations for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations, being hardest and chemically the most stable tissue in the body, they are selectively preserved and fossilized, thereby providing the best records for evolutionary change.2 Their durability in the phase of fire and bacterial decomposition makes them invaluable for identification of tooth size standards based on odontometric investigations can be used in age and sex determination1 “Sexual Dimorphism” refers to those difference in size stature and appearance between male and female that can be applied to dental identification because no two mouths are alike.2 The present study establishes the impact of morphometry of maxillary first molar of sex factors. The results indicate that the sexual dimorphism in maxillary first molar can be of immense medicolegal use in sex determination. The study defines the morphometric criteria for maxillary first molar in human being. This is of define significance as tooth morphology known to be influenced by cultural, environmental and racial factor.2 Material and Methods The study was conducted on 102 patients (52:50, M:F) in the age group of 17-25 years, selected from the OPD of the G.D.C. PGIMS, Rohtak. The teeth with marked wear (waste disease) were excluded from the research. The impression of maxillary arch was taken with alginate and poured with type IV dental stone. Care was taken to pour the impression immediately to minimize the dimensional changes. The B-L diameter of maxillary first molar was measured with vernier calliper (resolution 0.02 mm) intraorally in patient as well as on the cast. B-L diameter of the crown : This measurement is the greatest distance between facial and lingual surface of the crown parallel to the long axis of tooth.The reading obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to derive the conclusion and sexual dimorphism in right and left maxillary dimorphism was calculated using the formula.2,3 Sexual dimorphism = (Xm / Xf ) * 100 Where Xm = mean value of malesXf = mean value for females Observations and results Statistical significance of parametersThe following parameters were determined intaorally as well as on study casts in males and females. Right maxillary first molar B-L diameter. Left maxillary first molar B-L diameter. The results have been depicted in Table -1. From table- 1 it is evident that these parameters as measured for males and females when compared are found to be statistically significant. This is irrespective of whether measurements are taken intraorally or on the study cast.