Sexual Dimorphic Study on the Maxillary And Mandibular Canine Indices And Upper Lip Length Of The Ijaw Ethnic Group Of Nigeria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Identification of living persons and the dead bodies is of great importance in the practice of forensic medicine. Establishing sex is one of the main factors employed to know the identity. In forensic odontology the sum total of all the characteristics of teeth and their associated structures provide a unique totality and forms the basis for personal identification. This study aims at comparing the upper lip length, the mesiodistal crown widths of maxillary and mandibular canines, the inter-canine arch width of maxilla and mandible between male and female Ijaw ethnic group of Nigeria. Also, it will concerned with the derivation of  the mean value of maxillary canine index and mandibular canine index, derivation of the standard maxillary canine index and standard mandibular canine index of the Ijaws and assessing their reliability in predicting sex identity. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and eighty- four (184) subjects (104 males and 80 females) within the age range  of 18-35years were used for  the study. The subjects were then divided into two groups of males and females; all of which were  pure breeds of the ijaw ethntic group whose parents and grandparents were ljaws . Using measuring tape and veneer caliper, the upper lip length, the mesiodistal crown widths of maxillary and mandibular canines, the inter-canine arch width of maxilla and mandible, between male and female Ijaw ethnic group of Nigeria were measured. From these, the mean maxillary and mandibular canine index as well as the standard -maxillary  and  -mandibular canine indices were derived and  their reliability in predicting individuals sexuality was done.

RESULTS: The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Upper lip length, canine index and the  mesiodistal  crown  widths of canines of both jaws were shown to be greater  in  males  than  females  from the Ijaw ethnic group in Nigeria in  the  age  group of  18-35years,and these were statistically significant. However, the mandibular intercanine arch width did not show any significant difference in gender. Standard Mandibular Canine Index and mandibular canine index were more accurate  than  the  maxillary canine index  in gender determination.

CONCLUSION: The upper lip length, canine index and the  mesiodistal  crown  widths of  the canines of both jaws is greater  in  males  than  females  in the Ijaw ethnic group in Nigeria.  However, the mandibular intercanine arch width has not shown any significant difference in males and females.