title: Sexual dimorphism in human mandibular canines: a radiomorphometric study in South Indian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether variations in the mesiodistal dimensions of mandibular canines had any role in sex determination.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised of patients in the 19‒24-year age group (20 males and 20 females). Mesiodistal dimensions of mandibular canines was measured at the maximum mesiodistal width, first intraorally, then on plaster models of the same patient, followed by intraoral periapical radiograph of the same patient. The values were subjected to statistical analysis using t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It might be concluded from the results that there exists a definite statistically significant difference in the mesi-odistal width of mandibular canines when measured for males and females. Moreover, the left mandibular canine showed a greater sexual dimorphism (9.7%) when compared to the right mandibular canine (7.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study establishes a statistically significant sexual dimorphism in mandibular canines. It can be concluded that the standard mandibular canine index is a quick and easy method for determining sex and in identification of an unknown individual.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Guru Nanak Dev Dental College and Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Rishabh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kapila
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Nagesh
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: R Iyengar
authors.forename: Sushma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehkri