Canines mesiodistal measures as the key to sex prediction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature about canine measures to determine whether their variations had any role in sex determination. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: T he study searched MEDLINE database from 2004-2014 according PRISMA guidelines Search terms included "canine teeth," "dental crowns," "dentition," "permanent," "sex dimorphism," "forensic anthropology," "review literature." EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Four hundred forty-three studies were identified in the search strategy and 11 were included. Eight analysed mean differences of maxillary right canines' mesiodistal (MD) measures between male and female. There was no significant mean difference in two studies of eight (standardised mean difference [SMD]=0.150 and 0.268, respectively). According to all eight studies that reviewed them, maxillary right canines MD measures mean difference was significantly different (SMD=0.479). All five studies, which described maxillary left canines MD measures, found the mean, were significantly different (SMD=0.424). Ten studies found the same result for mandibular right canines (SMD=0.696). Eight studies found mandibular left canines MD measures and mean significantly different (SMD=0.685). CONCLUSIONS: The most significant SMD was between male and female mandibular canines (right and left), mesiodistal width 0.696 and 0.685 respectively. Consequently, these canines are the most important to the sex prediction. © 2015 Edizioni Minerva Medica.