Age and gender estimation from mandible using lateral cephalogram

Background: The mandible is seen as an important tool for radiological identification because of several growth parameters that can be exploited using cephalometric analysis, ease of imaging, and no overlying bony structures. These parameters can be handy in age and gender assessment in extreme situations like mass murders, remains of dead exhumed and murderous mutilations, missing or severely burnt individuals, etc. Material and Methodology: The study was conducted on randomized 90 lateral cephalograms obtained from the Department of Orthodontics. Tracings of the radiographs were done manually and cephalometric points were marked. Three linear measurements of mandibular growth were; mandibular body length, mandibular length and mandibular height. Gonial angle was measured as the angle formed by the ramus line (RL) and mandibular line (ML). The values obtained were statistically analyzed by Student′s t-test using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 7.0. Results: An increase in gonial angle was observed with increasing age in the present study but no statistically significant result could be obtained. However, a larger gonial angle was certainly observed in females. In the present study, the maximum mandibular growth rate was observed among females in the age group of 8-12 years. This finding is in accordance with the fact that growth spurt in females is noted at the age of 10-12. A statistically significant increase in the mandibular length (Gn to Go) was observed in females in the age group of 8-12 years (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The linear and angular parameters used in the study, when combined together, might prove to be of importance in studying the growth pattern of mandible in different age groups and gender. Further studies are recommended on a larger sample size of different ethnic inhabitants to derive an unvarying formula of age and gender assessment.