Age Estimation and Sex Identification Using Digital Panoramic Radiography of the Mandible among the Egyptian Population

Background: Age and sex determination are required for medico-legal and forensic purposes. Since the mandible is the most dimorphic bone in the skull and is frequently found intact, it may be crucial in determining sex. In this context, the abundance of antemortem digital panoramic radiographs could be very helpful in researching and creating population-specific criteria for precise age and sex estimates.
Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the value of digital panoramic radiographs in age estimation and sex identification among Egyptian population samples.
Methods: This study was conducted on 200 Egyptian participants (103 females and 97 males) aged between 20 and 60 years, who were classified into 4 age groups: Group 1 (20-29), group 2 (30-39), group 3 (40-49), and group 4 (50-60). Six mandibular dimensions were measured by using digital panoramic radiographs, to identify age and sex.
Results: Comparisons among the 4 age groups did not reveal statistically significant differences concerning the studied dimensions, however comparisons between these groups in females and males separately revealed statistically significant differences in some dimensions. The measured dimensions were significantly different between males and females, with greater female mean values in angular measurements and mean values in linear measures. Discriminant function analysis helped to identify sex with an accuracy value of 87%, whereas logistic regression analysis could identify sex with an accuracy of up to 85%.
Conclusion:  Mandibular dimensions have a high degree of reliability and applicability for sex identification.