Evaluation of canine sexual dimorphism in deciduous and permanent dentition

INTRODUCTION: Teeth are an excellent material in living and nonliving populations for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations. Among the various calcified structures in the human body, teeth have gained lot of popularity in estimating the sex of an individual as they are highly resistant to destruction and decomposition. The present study aims to assess the importance of canines in sexual dimorphism in both primary and permanent dentition as well as to describe the dimensional characteristics of canines among the population of Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty participants belonging to Bagalkot district of Karnataka population, 100 adults (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 17–30 years and 50 children (25 boys and 25 girls) in the age group of 3–6 years were included in the study. Impressions were made using alginate and study models were prepared using dental stone. Clinical crown height (CCH), maximum mesiodistal diameter (MMD) and maximum buccolingual width (MBL) of maxillary and mandibular canines of both dentitions were measured using digital vernier caliper. RESULTS: In deciduous dentition, significant differences were noted between maxillary and mandibular deciduous canines in male and female children using three dimensions, except mandibular canine, i.e., CCH did not show a significant difference. In permanent dentition, CCH and MMD showed significant differences except mandibular canines not showing significant differences in MBL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Thus, canines can act as a valuable tool in gender determination as there is significant sexual dimorphism in maxillary and mandibular deciduous and permanent dentition.