Univariate and multivariate sex dimorphism in the diverse age group of the South Indian dentition using the polyvinyl siloxane elastomeric impression material

Abstract Background In the South Indian population, an odontometric analysis was performed with the older age group (18 to 60 years) and using the dimensionally stable polyvinyl siloxane elastomeric impression material (PVS) that can create minute detail replicas of tooth structure. Both measurements of buccolingual and mesiodistal dimensions of all permanent teeth (except third molars) were taken with a digital vernier calliper on 400 dental models as a reference sample and 80 dental models as a test sample, with the data from the reference samples subjected to an independent samples t test and stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results Independent samples t test divulged that canines were the most sexually dimorphic teeth followed by buccolingual dimensions of central and lateral incisors. All tooth variables were found greater in males, i.e. 56/56 (100%), whereas stepwise logistic regression analysis formula disclosed that the prediction accuracy in the age group of 18 to 39 years was 91%, 85% and 73% using the teeth from both the jaws, maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth respectively; similarly, in the age group of 40 to 60 years, it was 85%, 84% and 83% using teeth from both jaws, maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth respectively; finally, in the overall age group of 18 to 60 years, it was 83% and 75% using teeth from both jaws, maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth respectively. The mean percentage of sex dimorphism was found high in South Indian dentition compared with other populations. Conclusions Nonetheless, the accuracy of the results obtained can be considered moderate to high, and sexing can be achieved using regression formulas for each age group, which reflects demographic diversity.