Sexual Dimorphism in the Tooth Dimensions of Spanish and Chilean Peoples

Astete, Jofré Claudia; San Pedro, Valenzuela Jaime & Suazo, Galdames Iván

Summary

The presence of sexual dimorphism in the size of the teeth is important in the medicolegal identification process. The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of sexual dimorphism in the mesiodistal (MD) and bucolingual (BL) diameter of permanent teeth in a sample of Spanish and Chilean young subjects, and analyze possible differences in dimorphic expression among these groups. Participated 60 individuals from the Universidad del País Vasco, Spain and 60 from the Universidad de Talca, Chile, of both sexes aged between 18 and 30 years olds. Were measured MD and BL dimensions and means were compared using t test (p <0.05 and p <0.01), then analyzed the differences between the groups. Most of the teeth examined had larger in men in both groups, with the exception of the upper incisors and first mandibular molar. The group of Spanish individuals showed higher sexual dimorphism than the Chilean group, which suggests the population-specific behavioral differences. KEY WORDS: sexual dimorphism, dental dimensions, forensic anthropology, odontometry.

How to cite this article

ASTETE, J. C.; SAN PEDRO, V. J. & SUAZO, G. I. Sexual Dimorphism in the Tooth Dimensions of Spanish and Chilean peoples. Int. J. Odontostomat., 3(1):47-50, 2009.