ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: One of the important pieces of information gathered from tooth analysis is the sex of an individual. In most human living populations, mandibular canines show the greatest dimorphism and greatest dimensional differences between males and females. In view of these facts, the aim of this study was to establish the standard mandibular canine index (MCI) and estimate the sexual dimorphism in the population of Gandhinagar district of Gujarat state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 400 subjects, 200 males and 200 females in the age group of 20-40 years. The mesiodistal (MD) width of the right and left canine and the intercanine distance were measured. These values were used to derive the MCI and establish the amount of sexual dimorphism exhibited by the mandibular canine. RESULTS: The MD crown width of the permanent mandibular right and left canines as well as mandibular intercanine distance of the males was found to be larger in size than in the females. The right mandibular canine exhibited 8.42% of sexual dimorphism while the left mandibular canine exhibited 8.40% of sexual dimorphism. The intercanine distance showed 2.75% of sexual dimorphism. The value of standard MCI derived using the formula devised by Rao et al. was 0.254 mm for the population residing in the Gandhinagar district. CONCLUSION: The present study supports the usefulness of the MCI in gender determination. The method of using mandibular canine indices is advantageous as it is easy, rapid, and cost-effective, requires no elaborate apparatus, and is suited for situations where large a number of samples have to be analyzed.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a precancerous condition, is highly prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Among many trace elements, copper and iron are required for the functioning of numerous enzymes. The biochemical alterations of these trace elements in the serum of patients with premalignant conditions can help in determining the staging of the disease, its appropriate treatment and as an indicator for prognosis. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of iron and copper as well as to identify the better predictor of the two in the diagnosis and progression of OSMF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 150 patients, out of which the cases group consisting of 100 OSMF patients and control group consisting of 50 individuals. All the cases were confirmed of having OSMF by histopathological examination. The blood sample was obtained from all 150 patients and evaluated by digital autoanalyzer photometer for serum level of copper and iron by the colorimetric method. The results obtained for cases and controls were compared by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean serum copper level increases while the mean serum iron level decreases with the advancement in the severity of clinical and histological stages of OSMF. CONCLUSION: Biopsy is the gold standard to diagnose OSMF, but it is an invasive and time-consuming technique. However, nowadays, many recent advances are used to diagnose OSMF at an early stage and reduce its progression into late and reversible stages. The trace elements serve as potential prognostic and diagnostic markers for OSMF patients.
