Analysis of mandibular and maxillary intercanine and intermolar widths and total arch length for sex and age differences in an adult Egyptian sample

Abstract Background Forensic odontology plays a crucial role in identifying individuals in legal contexts, especially in extreme conditions or large-scale disasters. The dental arch dimensions, such as intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), and total arch length (TAL), are key indicators for sex and age estimation due to their distinct and enduring features. This study evaluates the potential of these dental measurements for sex and age estimation in an adult Egyptian population. A total of 150 adults (75 males and 75 females), aged 18 to 50 years, were selected from Ain Shams University Dental Hospital, Cairo, between October 2020 and September 2021. Alginate impressions were used to create study models for measuring ICW, IMW, and TAL. Statistical comparisons between maxillary and mandibular arches were conducted, and sex and age differences across various age groups were analyzed. Results Significant differences ( P < 0.001) were found between the maxilla and mandible for all measurements (ICW, IMW, TAL). Males exhibited larger dimensions than females in both arches across all age groups. ICW and IMW were strong indicators of sex differentiation, while TAL required measurements from both arches for reliable sex identification, especially in males from the first and third age groups. Conclusion The dimensions of the dental arches (ICW, IMW, and TAL) are effective and reliable indicators for age and sex estimation in adult Egyptians. These findings contribute valuable tools for forensic identification, particularly in legal and disaster management applications.