Sexual Dimorphism in the Dimensions of Teeth in Serbian Population.

The study of teeth is of great interest to anthropologists, biologists, orthodontists and forensic scientists. The existence of sexual dimorphism in permanent teeth is a known phenomenon. Aim of this study was to analyze the presence of sexual dimorphism in the mesiodistal and vestibulolingual diameter of permanent teeth in the sample of Serbian population. Measurements were taken on plaster casts of 201 individuals of both sexes, ages between 18-25 years, using a digital caliper with 0.01 mm precision. The mesiodistal and vestibulolingual diameter of each permanent tooth was determined. A Student's t-test and a Mann-Whitney U test were used to statistically analyze the obtained results. There were no statistically significant differences in the teeth crown diameter between the right and left side of the same dental arch. Majority of the teeth examined were larger in male than in female patients. Statistically significant difference in the mesiodistal diameter of male and female maxillary and mandibular canines was found. The results of this study indicate that there are significant differences in teeth size between sexes in Serbian population. Males have larger diameters in teeth crowns than females. Canines show the greatest dimorphism.