Panoramic radiograph as a forensic aid in age and gender estimation: Preliminary retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The temporomandibular joint is a hinge joint which is formed by the mandible with articulation of the jaw with the cranium. The morphology of the mandible is evaluated by measuring the gonial angle ramus height and bigonial width. AIM: The aim of this study to investigate the impact of age and gender on ramus height, gonial angle and bigonial width in the dentulous odisha population using digital panaromic radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 dentulous participants (25 males and 25 females) aged between 10 and 80 years were included in this study. The data were collected after comprehensive examination by 1 principal and two coinvestigators. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The mean difference between gender and different age groups was calculated using SPSS version 20.0. Unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for comparison studied parameters according to gender, side and different age groups followed by Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: A statistically significant gender difference was seen for gonial angle, ramus height and bigonial width. All the parameters increased with increase in age. This difference was statistically significant on the right side for gonial angle and ramus height. CONCLUSION: This study is useful as for age and sex determination using mandible as primary object in forensic odontology.