Rao et al.'s method of sex determination, which considers the mandibular ca
nine index (MCI) is one giving satisfactory results. However, they did not
take occlusion into consideration. The aim of this study, therefore, was to
evaluate the effectiveness of this method with respect to tooth alignment.
The study population involved the students enrolled in the University of Ni
ce-Sophia Antipolis. Two hundred and ten girls and 214 boys were randomly s
ampled (1/20). Both tooth sizes and dental arches were measured using a ver
nier calliper to calculate MCI for both sexes. The results were compared to
standard MCI, taking into account tooth alignment.
Rao et al.'s method can only be used in the case of correct lower-anterior
dental alignment and by using the standard MCI of the local population. (C)
2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.