DOI: 10.4103/jiaomr.jiaomr_167_26 ISSN: 0972-1363

Sex and Age Determination from Mandibular Parameters Using OPG: An Observational Study

Ramesh Kumar Koothati, K. J. Jalin, Nidadavole Shrijitha, Gautam Srivastava, Prasanthi Bajana, Anitha Akkaloori
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Background:

Mandibular morphometric parameters measured on orthopantomographs (OPG) may assist in forensic age and sex determination.

Objectives:

To determine the association between mandibular morphometric parameters and chronological age and sex in adults aged 21–50 years using OPGs.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was done on 200 digital OPGs of individuals aged 21–50 years, categorized into three age groups. Parameters assessed included gonial angle, coronoid ramus height, condylar ramus height, projective ramus height, maximum ramus breadth, minimum ramus breadth and bigonial width. Independent samples t -test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyses were performed.

Results:

Most linear mandibular parameters were greater in males ( P < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed across age groups on ANOVA ( P > 0.05). In the 41–50 year group, maximum ramus breadth ( r = 0.298, P = 0.014) and minimum ramus breadth ( r = 0.249, P = 0.042) exhibited significant positive correlations with age. Maximum ramus breadth was a predictor of age (β = 0.298; 95% CI: 0.061–0.501; P = 0.014; R 2 = 0.089).

Conclusion:

Mandibular morphometric analysis demonstrated significant sexual dimorphism and limited age-related variation. OPG-based mandibular measurements may serve as a simple, non-invasive adjunct for sex determination and supplementary age estimation.

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