Use of mandibular radiomorphometric indices for the analysis of sexual dimorphism

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of mandibular radiomorphometric indices in digital panoramic radiographs (DPRs) for assessing sexual dimorphism. An analytical, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted using 367 DPRs. We measured the Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI), a qualitative index, and the Mandibular Cortical Thickness (MCT), a quantitative index, applying inferential statistical analysis, including ROC curve analysis to determine discriminatory power. The MCT demonstrated significant discriminatory capacity for sexual dimorphism, with males consistently presenting higher mean thickness measurements than females (p<0.001). The ROC curve for the MCT resulted in an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.716, indicating moderate to good performance. An optimal cutoff point of 5.05 mm was identified, with the model achieving a high specificity of 81.5%, prioritizing the reduction of false positives—a critical factor in forensic practice. In contrast, the MCI was less discriminatory, although the C3 category was predominantly male and the C1 category was predominantly female. The MCT emerged as a highly relevant and promising radiomorphometric index for sex estimation, especially due to its quantitative capacity and high specificity in differentiating individuals. These findings support the potential for comparative use in human identification. However, the validation of these parameters in various populations and the comparison with other imaging modalities are essential to consolidate their application in forensic practice.