Gender Dimorphism in Tooth Dimensions-Where Exactly Does it Exist?

Introduction: There are several studies which evaluate the interactions of mesiodistal tooth size among Angle’s malocclusion groups. Gender dimorphism in tooth size has also been established in previous studies. However, there is lack of information regarding interactions between Angle’s classification, gender and individual tooth size. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the Class of malocclusion more prone for gender dimorphism of individual teeth as well as the most variable and most homogenous teeth. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 308 study models with 104 belonging to Class I (53 males, 51 females), 104 to Class II division 1 (54 males, 50 females), and 100 to Class III malocclusion (50 males, 50 females). An electronic digital caliper was used to measure the mesiodistal width of all 14 maxillary and mandibular teeth from the right second permanent molar to the left. Statistical evaluation was done using independent t-test, analysis of variance and post-hoc Bonferroni test. Results: Class III malocclusions showed significantly larger dimensions in males for all teeth except upper central incisors and second bicuspids, whereas in Class II division 1, gender variations were limited to canines and upper second molars only. Class I showed gender dimorphism in canines, upper central incisors and lower first molars. Also, tooth dimensions were larger in Angle’s Class I and smaller in maxillary Class III in both genders. Conclusion: Gender dimorphism in tooth dimensions was found to be predominant in Class III malocclusion only. Canines were the most variable teeth showing gender variation in all three classes of malocclusion. The second premolars were the most homogenous, displaying no variations with gender in any of the classes.