Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review

Abstract Background Craniofacial imaging modalities play an important role in human identification via comparative dental analysis and reconstruction profiling. Skeletal structures, especially the mandible, show remarkable sexual dimorphism and thus play a pivotal role in sex estimation. A literatur...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Deepti Sharma, Shruti Gupta, George Koshy, Vishal Sharma, Anita Hooda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-05-01
Series:Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00449-x
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849325880719966208
author Deepti Sharma
Shruti Gupta
George Koshy
Vishal Sharma
Anita Hooda
author_facet Deepti Sharma
Shruti Gupta
George Koshy
Vishal Sharma
Anita Hooda
author_sort Deepti Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Craniofacial imaging modalities play an important role in human identification via comparative dental analysis and reconstruction profiling. Skeletal structures, especially the mandible, show remarkable sexual dimorphism and thus play a pivotal role in sex estimation. A literature search has revealed that both 2D and 3D radiographic techniques have a significant role in forensic odontology, and recent research has focused on assessing the role of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in forensic dentistry. The study aimed to appraise the role of CBCT and orthopantomogram (OPG) in sex estimation by assessing the mandibular anatomical landmarks. Main body An electronic search of PubMed, ClinicalKey, and TRIP databases was carried out. The articles were screened, and 28 articles that fulfilled definite eligibility criteria were included. Fourteen studies each were included for CBCT and OPG-based evaluation of mandibular parameters. Sex has an influence on most linear variables except for the condylar dimension, whereas among the angular variables, the condylar angles showed significant difference with sex. Volumetric analysis of the coronoid process also exhibited sexual dimorphism. Mandibular linear measurements were considered predictors of sexual dimorphism with more precise CBCT findings. Conclusion Both imaging modalities were comparable in sex estimation, with their own strengths and limitations. The morphological evaluation of the mandible is better with CBCT because of its precision, reduced distortion, and radiation exposure.
format Article
id doaj-art-3227f83f3f4d44c1b42f24bd2800fc66
institution Kabale University
issn 2090-5939
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
spelling doaj-art-3227f83f3f4d44c1b42f24bd2800fc662025-08-20T03:48:18ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences2090-59392025-05-0115111910.1186/s41935-025-00449-xRole of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic reviewDeepti Sharma0Shruti Gupta1George Koshy2Vishal Sharma3Anita Hooda4Christian Dental College and HospitalPost Graduate Institute of Dental SciencesChristian Dental College and HospitalDesh Bhagat Dental CollegePost Graduate Institute of Dental SciencesAbstract Background Craniofacial imaging modalities play an important role in human identification via comparative dental analysis and reconstruction profiling. Skeletal structures, especially the mandible, show remarkable sexual dimorphism and thus play a pivotal role in sex estimation. A literature search has revealed that both 2D and 3D radiographic techniques have a significant role in forensic odontology, and recent research has focused on assessing the role of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in forensic dentistry. The study aimed to appraise the role of CBCT and orthopantomogram (OPG) in sex estimation by assessing the mandibular anatomical landmarks. Main body An electronic search of PubMed, ClinicalKey, and TRIP databases was carried out. The articles were screened, and 28 articles that fulfilled definite eligibility criteria were included. Fourteen studies each were included for CBCT and OPG-based evaluation of mandibular parameters. Sex has an influence on most linear variables except for the condylar dimension, whereas among the angular variables, the condylar angles showed significant difference with sex. Volumetric analysis of the coronoid process also exhibited sexual dimorphism. Mandibular linear measurements were considered predictors of sexual dimorphism with more precise CBCT findings. Conclusion Both imaging modalities were comparable in sex estimation, with their own strengths and limitations. The morphological evaluation of the mandible is better with CBCT because of its precision, reduced distortion, and radiation exposure.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00449-xRadiographsSexSkeletal parametersMandibleForensic odontology
spellingShingle Deepti Sharma
Shruti Gupta
George Koshy
Vishal Sharma
Anita Hooda
Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review
Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences
Radiographs
Sex
Skeletal parameters
Mandible
Forensic odontology
title Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review
title_full Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review
title_fullStr Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review
title_short Role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation: a systematic review
title_sort role of cone beam computed tomography and orthopantomogram in sex estimation a systematic review
topic Radiographs
Sex
Skeletal parameters
Mandible
Forensic odontology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-025-00449-x
work_keys_str_mv AT deeptisharma roleofconebeamcomputedtomographyandorthopantomograminsexestimationasystematicreview
AT shrutigupta roleofconebeamcomputedtomographyandorthopantomograminsexestimationasystematicreview
AT georgekoshy roleofconebeamcomputedtomographyandorthopantomograminsexestimationasystematicreview
AT vishalsharma roleofconebeamcomputedtomographyandorthopantomograminsexestimationasystematicreview
AT anitahooda roleofconebeamcomputedtomographyandorthopantomograminsexestimationasystematicreview