The Influence of Gender on the Cortical Width of the Lower Border of the Mandible and the Mandibular Cortical Index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of gender on the mental index (MI) and the mandibular cortical index (MCI).

METHODS: In this study, there were 120 subjects (43 male and 77 female subjects), who had undergone a dental panoramic radiograph examination for the needs of diagnosis and future treatment planning. MI and MCI were determined by orthopantomograph.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in MI dependent on gender. Male patients demonstrated significantly higher values for MI than female patients (right: t=4.127; P=0.0001, left: t=3.110; P=0.002). No statistically significant difference was observed for MCI dependent on gender (right: χ²=2.36 P=0.308, left: χ²=3.85 P=0.146).

CONCLUSION: MI is affected by gender, but MCI is not.