Sexual dimorphism in mesiodistal dentin and enamel thickness. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • This study evaluates sexual dimorphism in mesiodistal diameter, enamel thickness and dentin thickness of the permanent posterior mandibular dentition in order to gain a better understanding of variation in mesiodistal tooth size. The results relate to a sample of 59 males and 39 females, 20-35 years of age. Bitewing radiographs of the right permanent mandibular premolars and molars were illuminated and transferred at a fixed magnification to a computer via a video camera. Enamel and dentin landmarks were identified and digitized on the plane representing the maximum mesiodistal diameter of each tooth. The results showed significant sex differences (p < 0.01) in mesiodistal diameter favouring males over females. Dimorphism was more pronounced for the molars than for the premolars. Enamel thickness, which is 0.4-0.7 mm greater for the molars than premolars, shows no significant sex differences. Dentin is significantly thicker in males than females, and is 3.5-4.0 mm thicker in molars than premolars. It is concluded that sexual dimorphism in mesiodistal tooth sizes is due to differences in dentin thickness and not enamel thickness.

published proceedings

  • Dentomaxillofac Radiol

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Stroud, J. L., Buschang, P. H., & Goaz, P. W.

citation count

  • 67

complete list of authors

  • Stroud, JL||Buschang, PH||Goaz, PW

publication date

  • August 1994