title: Mandibular canine dimensions as an aid in gender estimation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  All humans have an identity in life; compassionate societies require this identity to be recognized even after death.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure the dimensions of the mandibular canine and assess the usefulness of the mandibular canine as an aid in gender estimation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population comprised 200 subjects inclusive of 100 males and 100 females with an age range of 18-25 years. Measurements made in mm at the contact point were of mesiodistal width of the right and left canines and intercanine distance both intraorally and on casts, and the mandibular canine index (MCI) was calculated. The obtained data were subjected to t-test/Mann-Whitney test and discriminant function analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All parameters of mandibular canines, namely, intercanine distance, canine width, and canine index were greater in males compared to females suggesting significant sexual dimorphism of mandibular canines. On subjecting the data to discriminant function analysis, it classified sex correctly in 73% of the samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result of our study establishes the existence of significant sexual dimorphism in mandibular canines. We can therefore, recommend the use of mandibular canine dimensions as an applicable and additional method for gender determination in human identification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Dr. Syamala Reddy Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Basetty Neelakantam
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Rajarathnam
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mathrusri Ramabai Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Maria Priscilla
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mathrusri Ramabai Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Annamalai Ponnuswamy
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Indira
keywords: Gender estimation; mandibular canine; mandibular canine index