Parameters:
(1) mesiodistal width of mandibular canine in mm (width of canine tooth parallel to mandibular arch)
(2) inter-canine width in mm (distance between mandibular canines)
Both the mesiodistal and inter-canine widths tend to be larger in males.
mandibular canine index =
= (mesiodistal width) / (inter-canine width)
Interpretation:
• The precise cut-off for sex determination varies in different populations.
• One issue is the degree of overlap between the sexes.
• A ratio less than 0.26 probably is female.
• A ratio greater than 0.30 is probably male.
Performance:
• Some authors claim that the index is relatively accurate.
• Other authors find that the index is inaccurate.
• Some performance may be related to the racial group.
• Measurements must be precise and standardized since differences in canine width can be less than a millimeter.
