Evaluation and comparison of linear and diagonal odontometry of first molars as a tool for gender discrimination; assessed in a population from Maharashtra

BACKGROUND: Linear odontometry is customarily used in gender determination which can pose difficulties in cases of tooth decay, attrition since they mainly involve the proximal surfaces. OBJECTIVES: The present cross-sectional observation study, estimated the efficacy of alternative measurements, that is, diagonal measurements and cervical measurements in gender determination in comparison to routine odontometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 200 dental cast models (upper and lower) of 100 individuals (50 male and 50 female) from Maharashtra state were included. RESULTS: Univariate discriminant function analysis showed that, in maxillary molars, MD width gave the highest gender dimorphism of 64%, followed by BL with 62%. In the mandibular teeth, MD gave an accuracy of 75% followed by MB-DL with 73%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that overall diagonal and linear measurements gave the highest dimorphism of 81% with 80% correctly identified as females and 82% as males. The mandibular MD, BL and MB-DL gave an accuracy of 79% with 78% corrected identified as females and 80% correctly identified as males. Mandibular ML-DB and Cervical DB-CML together gave an accuracy of 77% and mandibular MD with75%. CONCLUSION: Thus, the study proves that diagonal measurements give almost equivalent or better results than linear measurements in gender determination.