Analysis of sexual dimorphism by locating the mandibular canal in images of cone-beam computed tomography

The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual dimorphism in anthropometric measurements on mandibular images obtained by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). One hundred sixty Brazilian individuals (74 men and 86 women), aged between 18 and 60 years, were included in the study. In the CBCT images 8 measurements were performed: distance from the mandibular foramen to the most anterior part of the mandibular ramus; distance from the mandibular foramen to the most posterior part of the ramus; distance from the upper channel to the alveolar ridge of the mandible; distance from the upper channel to the bottom of the mandibular canal; distance from the channel to the mandibular alveolar ridge (lingual); distance from the channel to the mandibular alveolar ridge (buccal); distance from the mental foramen to the top of the alveolar ridge; and distance from the mental foramen to the base of the mandible. Analysis of variance was used to test the existence of difference, between sexes, in the mean values of these measurements and the binary logistic regression model was developed to predict the sex. Optimal model was obtained with 5 measurements with an accuracy of 86.1%. In conclusion, the formula developed in this study can be used together with other criteria as a tool to sexual identification in forensic settings.