Sexual dimorphism in the permanent maxillary first molar in a population of Maharashtrian ancestry: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Teeth, being the most stable tissues in the body, can serve as excellent sources in forensic investigations. Tooth size standards based on odontometric investigations can be used for sex determination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of sexual dimorphism in the buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions of permanent maxillary first molars in a population of Maharashtrian ancestry.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted on 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females) of the Maharashtrian population, in the age group of 18-25 years. The buccopalatal (BP) and mesiodistal (MD) diameters of the maxillary first molars were measured using digital vernier callipers on the study casts.

Results: Unpaired -tests and paired -tests were used to analyse the data. There was a statistically significant sexual dimorphism ( < 0.01) in the permanent maxillary first molar dimensions in the Maharashtrian population.

Conclusion: Sexual dimorphism in permanent maxillary first molars may serve as a supplementary tool in sex determination and also provide population-specific baseline data.