MENTAL FORAMEN: AN INDICATOR FOR GENDER ETERMINATION -A PANAROMIC STUDY

Abstract: - Introduction: - Gender Determination Is an Important Part of Forensic Practice, Archaeology, And Many Medico-Legal Matters. The Skull Shows Distinct Sexual Dimorphism and Plays a Significant Role in Gender Identification. When Antemortem and Post-Mortem Information Is Unavailable, Then Dental Profiling Gives a Viable Solution. The Mandible Is Frequently Used for Sex Determination Because Of Its Durability and Distinct Morphological Characteristics. The Mental Foramen Is a Stable Anatomical Landmark Visible on Panoramic Radiographs as A Radiolucent Area and Can Assist in Accurate Gender Assessment. Aim and Objective: To Determine Gender Based on The Vertical Distance from The Most Inferior Point of the Mental Foramen to The Inferior Border of the Mandible (D1) And from The Most Superior Point of the Mental Foramen to The Inferior Border of the Mandible (D2). Methodology: - A Retrospective Study Was Conducted Using Digital Panoramic Radiographs Of 90 Subjects (45 Males And 45 Females) Aged 20–49 Years, After Obtaining Ethical Clearance. Radiographs Were Collected from The Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Drs. Sudha & Nageswara Rao Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences. Measurements (D1 And D2) Were Made on The Right Side of The Mandible Using Sidex 2.5 Software. Observation and Results: - D2 Values Were Significantly Higher Than D1 Values in Both Sexes, And Statistically Significant Differences Were Observed Between Males and Females for Both Parameters (P < 0.001). Conclusion: - Mental Foramen Can Serve as A Reliable Adjunct in Gender Determination, Panoramic Radiography Be Considered as an Effective Method in Forensic Identification, particularly in Cases Involving Fragmented Jaws and Mass Disasters.