Mandibular gonial angle measurement as a predictor of gender-a digital panoramic study

Objective: The present study is intended for properly assessing, comparing, and evaluating the contemporary measurements of gonial angle using digital panoramic radiography. In addition, this research evaluates the importance of mandibular gonial angle in gender determination. Materials and Methods: Technically, this is a retrospective cross-sectional study, where the study sample was composed of 590 (295 males and 295 females) patients undergoing digital panoramic radiography in the College of Dentistry in University of Science & Technology of Fujairah, Fujairah, UAE . These patients had been prescribed panoramic radiographs based on different factors. As a generally adopted procedure, bilateral gonial angle measurements were carried out, results were recorded, and their predictability as a determinant of gender was assessed. ANOVA and t-test procedures were utilized for statistical analysis of the collected data. Results: The analysis of the present study confirmed a statistically significant difference between the right and left sides of the gonial angle in both genders. Further, the mean comparison exposed a variation between males and females, based on gonial angle values; females have a statistically significant higher mean angle values than males. Based on the analysis, the present study concludes that this difference between males and females from both sides suggests that the gonial angle helps in sex identification. Conclusion: It has been concluded that gender significantly influences the gonial region and has great potential to be used as a forensic tool in gender determination. Digital panoramic radiography is a good study tool and it can be used to determine the morphology of the mandible.