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Sexual dimorphism in teeth? Clinical relevance
Ralf J Radlanski1, Herbert Renz, Werner Hopfenmüller
1Center for Dental and Craniofacial Sciences, Dept. of Craniofacial Developmental Biology, Charité - Campus Benjamin Franklin at Freie Universität Berlin, Assmannshauser Str. 4-6, 14197 Berlin, Germany. ralfj.radlanski@charite.de
Determining sex from front teeth is unreliable. While measurable sexual dimorphism exists in teeth, visual identification by experts and laypeople from photographs is inaccurate, with correct identification occurring only about half the time.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Odontology
- Anthropology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- Morphometric studies indicate sexual dimorphism in human teeth.
- Previous research suggests quantifiable differences between male and female dentition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the visual determination of sex based on anterior teeth.
- To assess if dental professionals and laypeople can accurately identify sex from dental photographs.
Main Methods:
- Fifty intraoral photographs of anterior teeth (male and female, ages 7-75) were presented.
- Participants (50 dental experts, 50 laypeople) evaluated photographs, indicating "female", "male", or "?".
- Photographs were presented at actual size with the lip region obscured.
Main Results:
- Correct sex identification reached a maximum of 76% on some photographs but was incorrect in 69% on others.
- Overall, sex was correctly identified by approximately 50% of participants.
- Neither dental experts nor laypeople demonstrated a reliable ability to distinguish sex visually from anterior teeth photographs.
Conclusions:
- Despite measurable morphometric sexual dimorphism in teeth, it is not visually discernible from anterior teeth photographs.
- Visual sex determination from anterior teeth is unreliable for both dental professionals and the general public.
- Further research may be needed to explore other dental features for sex determination.
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