Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Potential use of the cusp and crown areas of the maxillary posterior teeth measured with a two-dimensional stereomicroscope for sex determination

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to compare the cusp and crown areas of the maxillary first premolar (PM1), second premolar (PM2), and first molar (M1) in males and females in the Malay population and to formulate sex prediction models. For this purpose, the maxillary posterior teeth of 176 dental cast samples (from 88 males and 88 females) were selected and transformed to two-dimensional digital models using 2D-Hirox KH-7700. Cusp and crown area measurements were obtained using Hirox software by tracing the outermost circumference of the tooth cusps. Statistical analysis included independent t-tests, logistic regression analysis, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves as well as determination of sensitivity and specificity; analysis was performed with SPSS version 26.0. The significance threshold was set at 0.05. All crown and cusp area measurements were significantly larger in males than in females (p < 0.001). The most sexually dimorphic tooth was the first maxillary molar (mean difference, 10.27 mm2), and the most sexually dimorphic cusp was the mesiopalatal cusp (mean difference, 3.67 mm2) of M1. The sex prediction model had a good accuracy, with 80% of selected cases correctly predicted. Hence, we conclude that the maxillary posterior teeth in the Malay population exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, and this information may be used for sex determination as adjuvants along with other procedures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data are available upon request from the authors.

References

  1. Krishan K, Kanchan T, Garg AK. Dental evidence in forensic identification - an overview, methodology and present status. Open Dent J [Internet]. 2015;9:250–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Peckmann TR, Logar C, Garrido-Varas CE, Meek S, Pinto XT. Sex determination using the mesio-distal dimension of permanent maxillary incisors and canines in a modern Chilean population. Sci Justice. 2016;56(2):84–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kazzazi S, Kranioti E. Odontometric analysis of sexual dimorphism in permanent maxillary and mandibular molars. J Forensic Sci Criminol. 2017;5(1):1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Karaman F. Use of diagonal teeth measurements in predicting gender in a turkish population. J Forensic Sci. 2006;51(3):630–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Shahid F, Alam MK, Khamis MF, Komori A, Kubo K, Maeda H. A new method to measure and assess tooth size and tooth size discrepancy via circumferential measurements using stereomicroscope. J Hard Tissue Biol. 2015;24(4):305–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Issrani R, Iqbal A, Alam MK, Prabhu N. 3D CBCT analysis of odontometric variables for gender dimorphism in Saudi Arabian subpopulation. Indian J Forensic Med Toxicol. 2020;14(2):1872–80.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Paknahad M, Dokohaki S, Khojastepour L, Shahidi S, Haghnegahdar A. A Radio-odontometric analysis of sexual dimorphism in first molars using cone-beam computed tomography. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2022;00(00):46–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Macaluso PJ. Investigation on the utility of permanent maxillary molar cusp areas for sex estimation. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2011;7(3):233–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Oliva G, Pinchi V, Bianchi I, Focardi M, Paganelli C, Zotti R, et al. Three-dimensional dental analysis for sex estimation in the italian population: a pilot study based on a geometric morphometric and artificial neural network approach. Healthcare. 2022;10(1):1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Brook AH. Multilevel complex interactions between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of anomalies of dental development. Arch Oral Biol. 2009;54(SUPPL. 1):3–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Khamis MF, Taylor JA, Malik SN, Townsend GC. Odontometric sex variation in Malaysians with application to sex prediction. Forensic Sci Int. 2014;234:183.e1-183.e7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Peduzzi P, Concato J, Feinstein AR, Holford TR. Importance of events per independent variable in proportional hazards regression analysis II and precision of regression estimates. J Clin Epidemiol. 1995;48(12):1503–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Greenland S, Mickey RM. Re: “The impact of confounder selection criteria on effect estimation.” Am J Epidemiol. 1989;129(1):125–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Chalmers EV, Martin CB, Mcintyre GT, Dundee CL, Hospital D. An audit of plaster study models storage in hospital based orthodontic departments. Clin Eff Bull. 2015;34:29–30.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Shahid F, Alam MK, Khamis MF, Nakano K. Validity and reliability of digital model measurements : a digital stereomicroscopic study. J Hard Tissue Biol. 2014;23(4):439–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bunyarit S, Asma A, Abdul Rahman N, Adri S, Rahman MM. Dental anomalies and gender dimorphism in tooth size of Malay patients. Bangladesh J Med Sci. 2011;4(1):10–9.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Paul KS, Stojanowski CM, Hughes T, Brook AH, Townsend GC. Genetic correlation, pleiotropy, and molar morphology in a longitudinal sample of Australian twins and families. Genes (Basel). 2022;13(6):1–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Acharya AB, Mainali S. Univariate sex dimorphism in the Nepalese dentition and the use of discriminant functions in gender assessment. Forensic Sci Int. 2007;173(1):47–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Shahid F, Alam MK, Khamis MF, Honda Y, Sugita Y, Maeda H. Geomorphometrics of tooth size and arch dimension analysis by conventional digital caliper and digital stereomicroscope to establish standard norms for the Pakistani population. J Hard Tissue Biol. 2015;24(2):155–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Mageet AO, Abu Fanas AS, Shaheen IK, Hadi KMH, Abdelmagied MH. Variations of the mesiodistal width of permanent teeth in a sample of patients attending Ajman University Dental College. Res J Pharm Technol. 2021;14(12):6565–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Brook AH, O’Donnell MB, Hone A, Hart E, Hughes TE, Smith RN, et al. General and craniofacial development are complex adaptive processes influenced by diversity. Aust Dent J. 2014;59(SUPPL. 1):13–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Macaluso PJ. Sex discrimination potential of permanent maxillary molar cusp diameters. J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2010;28(1):22–31.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kondo S, Townsend GC, Yamada H. Sexual dimorphism of cusp dimensions in human maxillary molars. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2005;128(4):870–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Suazo I, Cantín M, López B, Sandoval C, Torres S, Gajardo P, et al. Sexual dimorphism in mesiodistal and bucolingual tooth dimensions in Chilean people. Int J Morphol. 2008;26(3):609–14.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kondo S, Townsend GC. Sexual dimorphism in crown units of mandibular deciduous and permanent molars in Australian Aborigines. HOMO- J Comp Hum Biol. 2004;55(1–2):53–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kondo S, Yamada H, Kanazawa E. Metrical studies of the crown components of the Japanese mandibular molars. Anthropol Sci [Internet]. 2001;109(3):213–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Dempsey PJ, Townsend GC. Genetic and environmental contributions to variation in human tooth size. Heredity (Edinb). 2001;86(6):685–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Townsend G, Hughes T, Luciano M, Bockmann M, Brook A. Genetic and environmental influences on human dental variation: a critical evaluation of studies involving twins. Arch Oral Biol. 2009;54(SUPPL. 1):1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Alvesalo L. Human sex chromosomes in oral and craniofacial growth. Arch Oral Biol. 2009;54(SUPPL. 1):18–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Tanner M, Prader A, Habich H. Genes on the Y chromosome influencing rate of maturation in man. Lancet. 1959;2:141–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kondo S, Funatsu T, Wakatsuki E. Sexual dimorphism in the tooth crown dimensions of the second deciduous and first permanent molars of Taiwan Chinese. Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn. 1998;75(5):239–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Mitsea AG, Moraitis K, Leon G, Nicopoulou-Karayianni K, Spiliopoulou C. Sex determination by tooth size in a sample of Greek population. HOMO- J Comp Hum Biol. 2014;65(4):322–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Sharma P, Sharma R, Singh T, Chandra P, Kumar P. Sex determination potential of permanent maxillary molar widths and cusp diameters in a North Indian population. J Orthod Sci. 2013;2(2):55–60.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Mayank M, Bijlani S, Kulkarni D, Mulla A, Sharma GK, Sharma M. Prediction of gender by odontometric data using logistic regression analysis. J Dent Spec. 2016;4(2):157–61.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Prabhu S, Acharya AB. Odontometric sex assessment in Indians. Forensic Sci Int. 2009;192(1–3):129.e1-129.e5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Kemkes A, Göbel T. Metric assessment of the “mastoid triangle” for sex determination: a validation study. J Forensic Sci. 2006;51(5):985–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. du Jardin P, Ponsaillé J, Alunni-Perret V, Quatrehomme G. A comparison between neural network and other metric methods to determine sex from the upper femur in a modern French population. Forensic Sci Int. 2009;192(1–3):127.e1-127.e6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Yong R, Ranjitkar S, Lekkas D, Halazonetis D, Evans A, Brook A, et al. Three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometric analysis of human premolars to assess sexual dimorphism and biological ancestry in Australian populations. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2018;166(2):373–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Hosmer DW, Lemeshow S, Sturdivant RX. Applied logistic regression. Vol. 3rd editio, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. 2013.

  40. Osman J, Azian N, Murad A, Chin S, Jamal R. Highly sensitive and reliable human sex determination using multiplex PCR. Asia-Pacific J Mol Med. 2014;4(1):11–4.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Bytheway JA, Ross AH. A geometric morphometric approach to sex determination of the human adult os coxa. J Forensic Sci. 2010;55(4):859–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Yang W, Liu X, Wang K, Hu J, Geng G, Feng J. Sex determination of three-dimensional skull based on improved backpropagation neural network. Comput Math Methods Med. 2019;9163547. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9163547:1-8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Khan R, Tejasvi MLA, Paramkusam G. Comparison of gender determination from dental pulp and dentin after exposure to various environmental conditions: a polymerase chain reaction-based SRY gene study. Contemp Clin Dent. 2019;10:256–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Moharil R, Dive A, Thakur S, Bodhade A, Dhobley A, Bagdey S. Effect of various temperatures on restored and unrestored teeth: a forensic study. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2014;6(1):62.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement to “Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme with Project Code: FRGS/1/2022/SKK11/USM/02/1”.

Funding

This study was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme with Project Code: FRGS/1/2022/SKK11/USM/02/1.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Forensic Odontology and Oral Biology, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Samiya Riaz & Mohd Fadhli Bin Khamis

  2. Department of Biostatistics, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Wan Muhamad Amir Bin W Ahmad

  3. Department of Craniofacial Imaging, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Johari Yap Abdullah

  4. Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakakah, 72345, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammad Khursheed Alam

Authors
  1. Samiya Riaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohd Fadhli Bin Khamis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wan Muhamad Amir Bin W Ahmad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Johari Yap Abdullah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mohammad Khursheed Alam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Study conception and design, Mohd Fadhli Khamis and Samiya Riaz. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Samiya Riaz, Mohd Fadhli Khamis, and Johari Abdullah. Statistical analyses were performed by Samiya Riaz under the supervision of Wan Muhamad Amir W Ahmad. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Samiya Riaz and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript (Samiya Riaz, Mohd Fadhli Khamis, Wan Muhamad Amir W Ahmad, Johari Abdullah, Mohammad Khursheed Alam).

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohd Fadhli Bin Khamis.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

Ethical clearance was obtained from the USM Ethics Committee (USM/JEPeM/17100564) prior to dental cast recruitment. The submitted manuscript has not been published before, it is not under consideration for publication anywhere else and its publication has been approved by all co-authors.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Riaz, S., Khamis, M.F.B., Ahmad, W.M.A.B.W. et al. Potential use of the cusp and crown areas of the maxillary posterior teeth measured with a two-dimensional stereomicroscope for sex determination. Forensic Sci Med Pathol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-023-00651-0

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-023-00651-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation