Gender determination using the mental foramen

Abstract

Background: Identification and determination of the sex of unknown human skeletal remains have been one of the most challenging tasks for forensic dentistry. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of the analysis of location of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs for gender determination. Materials and Methods: Thirty radiographs of an equal number of males and females were selected for the analysis of the mental foramen. Distance from the superior and inferior borders of the mental foramen to the lower border (S-L and I-L) of the mandible of both sides were recorded. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The distances of S-L and I-L were significantly high in males than in females while the distance for the right and left sides of an individual were almost similar in both the male and female groups and the results were nonsignificant. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in the distance from the mental foramen to the lower border of the mandible in males and females.