Correlation between Tooth Crown Dimensions and Sex Determination in a Bangladeshi Population

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Forensic odontology plays a critical role in post-mortem identification, with sex determination serving as a fundamental step, and teeth being especially valuable due to their exceptional resistance to post-mortem degradation. Odontometric assessment of tooth crown dimensions, particularly mesiodistal and buccolingual measurements, has shown population-specific sexual dimorphism, highlighting the need to evaluate their applicability in the Bangladeshi population. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between tooth crown dimensions and sex determination in a Bangladeshi adult population. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Dentistry (OPD), Mugda Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from April 2024 to March 2025, including 120 healthy adults (60 males, 60 females). Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown dimensions of six permanent teeth were measured twice using a digital vernier caliper, and mean values were analyzed. Independent t-tests, Cohen’s d, percentage sexual dimorphism, and sex prediction accuracy were calculated using SPSS 26.0, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: In 120 participants (60 males, 60 females; mean age 21.3 ± 2.0 years, p = 0.414), males had significantly larger mesiodistal (6.93–11.08 mm vs 6.51–10.61 mm) and buccolingual (6.25–10.65 mm vs 6.01–10.22 mm) crown dimensions across all teeth (p < 0.001), with highest sexual dimorphism in canines (3.6–7.4%). Sex prediction accuracy ranged from 66.2% to 79.8%, maximal for mandibular (79.8%) and maxillary canines (78.3%). Conclusion: Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown dimensions, particularly of canines, reliably differentiate sexes in the Bangladeshi adult population.