Odontometric Assessment of Sexual Dimorphism in Human Dentition

Odontometric assessment of sexual dimorphism exploits measurable differences in tooth size, shape and volume between males and females to inform forensic identification, archaeological reconstruction and evolutionary inquiries. Traditional approaches focus on linear measurements of crown dimensions, notably mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters, which reflect subtle yet statistically significant divergences across populations. More recent techniques harness three-dimensional imaging—cone-beam computed tomography and volumetric segmentation—to capture enamel, dentine and root tissue volumes. Analytical frameworks range from discriminant function analysis and logistic regression to advanced geometric morphometrics combined with machine-learning algorithms. These methods offer non-invasive, reproducible and population-specific standards for sex estimation, while acknowledging inter-population variability, age-related changes and the overlap in size distributions. The global significance of this field resides in its ability to augment skeletal sex estimation when osseous markers are absent or degraded, to refine demographic profiles of past societies and to contribute to legal investigations through rapid, low-cost dental profiling.

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Technical terms

Mesiodistal dimension: Maximum tooth width measured from the mesial (front) to the distal (rear) contact points.

Buccolingual dimension: Maximum tooth width measured from the buccal (cheek) surface to the lingual (tongue) surface.

Volumetric assessment: Quantification of three-dimensional tissue volumes (enamel, dentine, root) using imaging segmentation.

Geometric morphometrics: Statistical analysis of shape based on landmark coordinates and Procrustes superimposition.

Discriminant function analysis: Multivariate technique identifying combinations of measurements that best separate groups (males versus females).

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT): X-ray imaging modality that produces three-dimensional volumetric data of dental structures with high spatial resolution.

References

1. Volumetric assessment of canines using post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) for sexual dimorphism in a Malaysian population. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences (2023).
2. Accuracy comparison of tooth volume and mesiodistal diameter measurements for sex dimorphism based on cone-beam computed tomography: a study for the northern Chinese population. Forensic Sciences Research (2023).
3. Buccolingual and Mesiodistal Dimensions of the Permanent Teeth, Their Diagnostic Value for Sex Identification, and Bolton Indices. BioMed Research International (2022).