Original Article

Year : 2021 | Volume : 6 | Issue : 1 | Page : 8 - 12

Assessment of Human Orbital Index and Mandible in Gender Determination: An Institutional‐Based Retrospective Cone‐Beam Computed Tomographic Study

K. Saraswathi Gopal, N. Nagammai, B. G. Harsha Vardhan

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology,Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Faculty of Dentistry, Meenakshi Ammal Dental college, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. N. Nagammai, E‐mail: nachiappannagammai@gmail.com

Abstract

Background and Aim:

Gender determination of bone is a very important part of study in anthropology and forensic science. This osteometric study helps in establishing the process of evolution, race, and demographic profile. If gender is determined first, then further investigations such as estimation of both age and stature can be confirmed with ease. Thus, the present study aims to assess the reliability of human orbital index (OI) and mandible in gender determination using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 60 CBCT images obtained using Planmeca Proma × 3D Mid Pro Face machine, taken for the purpose of various dental treatments for the patients with the age group of 10–60 years. Various parameters such as OI (maximum vertical distance of the orbital cavity/maximum horizontal distance of orbital cavity × 100) and in mandible (gonial angle and intercondylar distance) were measured using Romexis software.

Results:

OI showed an increase with age up to 40 years and then there was a decline with further increase in age. Gonial angle – the mean range of gonial angle values was recorded for females is 119.56–129.08 and for males 112.33–123.68 and also shows positive correlation being observed between gonial angle and age in both the sexes. Intercondylar increases with increase in age and did not exhibits much of difference between the males and females and furthermore between both the sides.

Conclusion:

Identification of gender from available skeletal remains is of great medicolegal significance. Thus, the present study will clearly express if morphometric analysis of orbit and mandible will be one of the reliable parameters for gender determination.

Key Words: Cone‐beam computed tomography, forensic science, mandible, orbital index

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Gopal KS, Nagammai N, Vardhan BG. Assessment of human orbital index and mandible in gender determination: An institutional‐based retrospective cone‐beam computed tomographic study. Int J Forensic Odontol 2021;6:8-12.