Abstract
Introduction: Asia Pacific region, is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the Asia-Pacific area due to its diverse geography and climate. One of the most crucial elements of forensic medicine is individual identification. The age and gender of an individual can be determined using a variety of techniques. Nonetheless, there are comparatively fewer techniques for estimating a person's stature. It is less common to find an association between stature and the size of the skull and jaw. The study's objective is to use the simplest and most readily available tools to examine the association between a person's height and the diameter of their head (DH) and the circumference of their head with the combined mesiodistal (MD) width of their maxillary anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 students were evaluated in order to measure the mesio-distal widths of the six maxillary anterior teeth, as well as the height, diameter, and circumference of the head. Inches were used to measure each student's height. Using the aforementioned parameters, correlation coefficients and linear regression equations for height and gender were obtained. The acquired data was recorded and statistically examined. Observations and Results: The study's mean height (H) findings revealed that HC strongly predicted H for both males and females (p=0.00). The pooled data, however, demonstrated statistical significance and a highly significant prediction of H in all odontometric parameters (p=0.0001). Statistically significant relationship between the diameter of head and height, head circumference and height, mesio-distal width and head diameter when plotted against height, and the sum of the skull diameter, head circumference, and mesiodistal width of anterior teeth when plotted against height. Conclusion: Odontometric and skull anthropometric measures can be used as an additional technique to estimate stature or height when appropriate samples, such as limbs and other body parts, are not available for testing. Although, the odontometric and skull anthropometric measurements revealed sexual dimorphism between males and females.
Keywords
Anthropometry Odontometry Stature estimation Height Head Circumference.
Introduction
Since the mutilated bodies at accident and disaster sites are typically mangled, the primary goal of forensic sciences is to identify. In this kind of identification, forensic odontology is crucial. Forensic odontology has been used to identify notable individuals like Rajiv Gandhi and Zia ul Haq. In those days, the most popular means of identification were ancient dentures and dental records. Nowadays, a whole library of rugae patterns may be made to identify a person's age and gender; the pulp can even provide genetic information about the individual [1]. The field of dentistry known as "forensic odontology," according to Fédération Dentaire Internationale, "deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence as well as the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings, in the interest of justice." Body height, or stature, is a crucial anthropometric measure that can be used to establish physical identity. In forensic investigation, the ability to determine stature from dismembered and mutilated body parts is crucial because of the proportional biological relationship between stature and every part of the human body, including the head, face, trunk, and extremities [2]. According to gender and ancestry group, the forensic pathologists and anthropologists can measure the dimensions of the body parts that are available for inspection and enter these measures into a mathematical formula. Stature estimation is aided by the formula, which generates a height range [3].
Numerous research has already been carried out to compare and assess the odontometric and anthropometric methods for estimating stature [4]. A comparable study conducted among African Americans revealed a relationship between men' maxillary central incisor tooth width and stature [5]. Cranial diameter and height relationships were examined by Introna et al. in 1993 [6], and Kalia et al. (2010) used lateral cephalograms for skull measurements to determine a person's height based on their teeth [7]. Stature is often estimated using long bones; however, this gets challenging when the remains are dismembered or damaged. Because teeth are comparatively resistant to decay and skull measurements have distinct, easily-located anatomical markers, a thorough examination of the teeth can provide an accurate estimate of an individual's stature in situations when other indicators are destroyed or fragmented.
The current study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between the individual's height, the head's diameter, its circumference, and the sum of the mesio-distal widths of the six maxillary anterior teeth. employing a minimal arsenal that may be accessible in isolated locations, something that has never been done previously.
Materials and Methods
The research was cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational, with some analytical elements. The study, which involved 250 healthy people between the ages of 18-30, was carried out at Navodaya Dental College in Raichur between January 2024 and February 2025. All subjects gave their informed consent before to the study's execution. An ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee was acquired.
Inclusion Criteria
All individuals selected were in the age group of 18–30 years; they had complete set of fully erupted, periodontally healthy, non-carious, non-worn intact and satisfactorily aligned anterior teeth.
Exclusion Criteria
Patients having a history of chronic sickness, orthognathic surgery, trauma or surgery to the skull, cleft palate or crown restorations, and no prior orthodontic therapy were also excluded.
Methods of Data Collection
As seen in Figure 1, the patients' height, head circumference, and the largest mesio-distal widths of the six maxillary anterior permanent teeth are measured using a steel scale, plastic measuring tape, and a fine-tipped divider.
Measuring Head Diameter
They noted the midway and palpated the supraorbital ridges. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate how the external occipital protuberance's deepest point was identified and the distance between it and the mark was measured.
Measuring the Head Circumference
In order to measure the maximum fronto-occipital circumference, a non-stretchable plastic tape that was calibrated in millimetres was placed directly on the occipital prominence and supraorbital ridges. The subject was seen laterally to check that the tape was placed correctly, as illustrated in Figure 4.
Measuring the Height
The height was determined by measuring the vertical distance between the floor and the vertex. In order to take measurements, the subject was made to stand upright and barefooted on a horizontal plane. As seen in Figure 5, the subject's head was positioned in the neutral, natural horizontal facial plane while they were in a straight vertical position.
Mesio-Distal Widths of Six Maxillary Anterior Teeth
The maxillary anterior permanent six teeth's greatest MD crown widths were measured between each tooth's anatomic contact points on either side of the jaw using a manual divider with extremely fine tips. The results were then compared to units on a calibrated steel scale to determine the values of significance, as illustrated in Figure 6.
Observation and Results
The statistical approach for correlation was used to the acquired data, and the linear regression formula was derived for each parameter both alone and in conjunction with other factors. Microsoft Word was utilised to create tables, and IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) was utilised for data analysis.
Combined mesio-distal width of anterior width when plotted against height
Then, using a regression model, height was linked with the combined mesio-distal width of the anterior teeth; the P value was 0.036. A correlation of 0.24777 and 0.29528 was identified between these two variables, and it was discovered that the MD dimension predicts height up to 11% (R2 = 0.107). The regression model coefficient is calculated as follows: "Y = mx + c." Height (Y) = 0.0277 (m) × ([x] combined MD width of anterior teeth]) + 0.03301 (c) is the result, as shown in Table 1 and Figure 7.
| HT Vs MD | N | Mean | Std deviation | Std error mean | T | P value |
| HT | 80 | 5.3387 | 0.24777 | 0.0277 | 2.117 | 0.036 |
| MD | 80 | 5.43 | 0.29528 | 0.03301 |
Diameter of the Head When Plotted Against Height
The regression model showed that there was a significant correlation between height and the DH (P = 0.00). It was discovered that the head diameter influences height by up to 0.1% (R2 = 0.001), and there was a 0.028 connection between the two variables. The regression model coefficient can be found using the formula "Y = mx + c." Height (Y) =.02770 (m) (DH) (x) + 18054 (c) is the result; Table 2 shows the regression model's standard deviation, beta values, and graphical representation [Figure 4].
| HT Vs DH | N | Mean | Std deviation | Std error mean | t | P value |
| HT | 80 | 5.3387 | .24777 | .02770 | 158 | 0.00 |
| DH | 80 | 33.2562 | 1.61479 | 18054 |
Head circumference when plotted against height:
Plotting the height versus the head's circumference revealed a significant P value of 0.000. The results show a t value of 158 and standard deviations for HT and HC of.24777 and 1.92711, respectively. The association between height and head circumference (HC) is 0.121, and HC influences height by up to 1.5% (R2 = 0.015). The regression model coefficient is calculated as follows: "Y = mx + c." height (Y) =.02770 (m) × HC (x) /+.21546 (c), with the standard deviation and beta values shown in Table 3.
| HT Vs HC | N | Mean | Std deviation | Std error mean | t | P value |
| HT | 80 | 5.3387 | .24777 | .02770 | 158 | 0.000 |
| HC | 80 | 53.7875 | 1.92711 | .21546 |
Sum of combined mesio-distal width and diameter of head when plotted against height
P = 0.019 was found when the values derived from the MD width of the anterior teeth were divided by the value derived from the DH measurement and connected with the height. Given that the P value for the MD + DH is higher than 0.05, it may be concluded that the height cannot be determined by the MD + DH. A correlation of 0.101 was found between the two variables, and the height is determined by the MD + DH up to 1.0% (R2 = 0.01). The regression model coefficient is calculated as follows: "Y = mx + c." According to Table 4, height (Y) =.02770 (m) × (MD + DH [x]) +.18689 (c)
| HT Vs MD+DH | N | Mean | Std deviation | Std error Mean | t | P value |
| HT | 80 | 5.3387 | .24777 | .02770 | 122 | 0.019 |
| MD+DH | 80 | 38.6863 | 1.67164 | .18689 |
Sum of mesiodistal width of anterior teeth, head circumference, and diameter of the skull when plotted against height
A P value of 0.000, which indicates significance, was obtained when the total of the three parameters—the combined MD width of the anterior teeth, skull circumference, and DH—was regressed with height. Up to 1.0% of height is determined by MD + DH + HC (R2 = 0.01), and there is a.32634 connection between these two factors. Y = mx + c is the formula for the regression model coefficient. Thus, height (Y) =.02770 (m) × (MD + DH + HC [x]) +.32634 (c). P > 0.05 was statistically regarded as not significant. When plotted against the height value, the P value was highest for the combined mesio-distal width of anterior width (0.036) and lowest for the HC value (0.000), which is statistically significant. The P value was determined to be 0.000 when the height and all three factors were associated. Plotting the head's diameter against height, head circumference against height, and the sum of the mesiodistal breadth of the anterior teeth, head circumference, and skull diameter versus height thus demonstrates the strongest link. Plotting the sum of the three values—the combined MD width of the anterior teeth, the head's circumference, and the head diameter—against height yielded a P value of 0.000, which is statistically significant, as shown in Table 5 and Figure 8.
| HT Vs MD+DH+HC | N | Mean | Std deviation | Std error Mean | t | P value |
| HT | 80 | 5.3387 | .24777 | .02770 | 158 | 0.000 |
| MD+DH+HC | 80 | 92.4738 | 2.91889 | .32634 |
Sum of Pearson's Correlation, P Value of MD, DH, HC, MD+DH, MD+DH+HC
Sum of Pearson’s Correlation of all the parameters, i.e. MD, DH, HC, MD+DH and MD+DH+HC are 0.136, 0.247, 0.398, 0.263 and 0.413 respectively. P values of all the parameters, i.e. MD, DH, HC, MD+DH and MD+DH+HC are 0.228, 0.027. 0.000. 0.019 and 0.000 respectively. The P values of DH, HC, MD+DH and MD+DH+HC are 0.027, 0.000, 0.019 and 0.000 indicating it to be significant as seen in Table 6 and Figure 9.
| HT | MD | DH | HC | MD+DH | MD+DH+HC |
| Pearson's Correlation | 0.136 | 0.247 | 0.398 | 0.263 | 0.413 |
| P Value | 0.228 | 0.027 | 0.000 | 0.019 | 0.000 |
| N | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (two tailed)
Discussion
Age and gender are crucial characteristics of a deceased person in forensic odontology. Height can occasionally be a significant factor in one's sense of self. The most popular method for estimating stature is to use long bones. It becomes challenging to do so, nevertheless, when dealing with maimed or decayed bodies. Using measurements of the teeth and skull provides a number of benefits since the anatomical landmarks are uniform, distinct, and simple to find. Furthermore, teeth are impervious to thermal, chemical, mechanical, and physical degradation. As a result, they are crucial components in the identification of skeletal remains, particularly when normal procedures cannot identify them because of the poor preservation of the remains [8].
The assessment of stature from cephalofacial area anthropometry has been the subject of numerous studies in the literature [9]. Regression formulae for the estimation of stature were successfully developed by Agnihotri and Soodeen Lalloo, who examined 14 measurements of the cephalofacial region (maximum head length, maximum head breadth, horizontal HC, head vault, minimum frontal diameter, bizygomatic breadth, bigonial diameter, nasal height, nasal breadth, nasal depth, morphological facial length, physiognomic facial length, physiognomic ear length, and physiognomic ear breadth) to observe the relationship with height in the Indo-Mauritius population. due to the fact that these measurements' correlation coefficients were not regarded as accurate indicators [10].
During data analysis, the following characteristics were taken into consideration: combined height, mesio-distal width of anterior teeth, head diameter, and head circumference. The goal of the current study was to determine whether odontometric and skull anthropometric factors may be employed as a technique of stature estimate. The goal of this study is to measure height using the bare minimum of equipment that may be found in remote or disaster locations. A limited sample size and the use of a crude measuring tape rather than scans and radiographs, which would provide precise skull dimensions, could be the reasons for the lack of significance in the results. Additionally, the current study has taken into account the head's diameter, circumference, and the combined mesio-distal widths of the six maxillary anterior teeth, whereas previous studies have frequently employed skull measures. Using a better data collection approach and a larger sample size may increase the likelihood of a better correlation. At the same time, the tape was held as near to the head as possible if the hair was parted. Wetting the hair would likely reduce the density and, hence, the mistakes caused by it when taking measurements. There is a correlation between stature and posterior tooth length, as one could anticipate that taller persons would have longer teeth because they add to the height of the face. There may be a clear proportionality between the odontometric parameters and height, as studies also reveal that undersized anterior teeth give the denture an unnatural appearance, and taller persons typically have a broader jaw and therefore wider teeth [22,23].
A study by Krishan et al. estimated stature from cephalofacial anthropometry in a population of North Indians and found a substantial and positive correlation (P < 0.001) between stature and all cephalofacial parameters [3]. Akhter et al. studied a sample size of 100 Bangladeshi Garo adult females and found a significant positive correlation of HC with the stature (P = 0.005) [11]. Wankhede et al. studied percutaneous maxillofacial anthropometry and found that it can be used but not as a primary method for stature estimation [12]. Garn et al.,[9] found a significant correlation between stature and MD and buccolingual dimensions of permanent maxillary lateral incisor, while no such correlation was found with maxillary central incisor, which is in accordance to our present study.
The outcome of this present study confirms the results of the previous studies conducted by Hinduja et.al.,[13], Vodanovic et.al.,[14], Laeeque et.al.,[15], Oladipo et.al [16] and Osunwoke et.al.,[17] who determined gender by different odontometric and skull anthropometric parameters. In the present study, the derived equations of height (HT) showed that, MD, HC, DH significantly predicted the HT. However, the data pooled revealed a highly significant prediction of HT in every skull anthropometric and odontometric assessment. In physical anthropology, height estimation has long been used as a component of the identification process. Amputating the head or extremities from the trunk is a common procedure when the body has been mutilated. Details regarding the person's stature are lost in this case, hence other remains should be used to establish the stature assessment [18].
In the present study, the mean values of height (H) showed that, HC significantly predicted the H among both male and female (p= 0.00). While combined data showed highly significant prediction of H in all the odontometric parameters (p= 0.0001), and are statistically significant.
Jayawardena et al. studied extracted maxillary central and lateral incisors of Sri Lankan Sialenese people to see if there was a relationship between tooth length, height, and age, accounting for total tooth length, crown length, and root length [24]. However, there was no correlation between tooth length and stature, suggesting that the genetic link between tooth size and stature was weak. Age and tooth length exhibited a positive correlation. The MD width of the primary teeth is smaller than that of the permanent teeth, suggesting that as people mature, their height also grows, as does the size of their jaw and their MD width [24]. However, if there is a definite proportionality and if there can be a regression formula derived to predict height, specific to the population is yet to be explored. If there exists a definite proportionality, it can be harnessed to effectively predict the stature of an individual as he/she transits from child to adult. Considering that the complete MD width of the anterior teeth is achieved by the age of 13 years (±2) and complete growth of jaw occurs with the eruption of the second molar, but complete growth in terms of height takes place by 18–21 years of age [19].
Although, the present study results are consistent with the similar studies of Chiba and Terazawa et.al.,[20] and Kalia et.al.,[21] who found largest correlation of skull measurements and H with combined data. However, we found a statistically significant correlation between the head's diameter when plotted against height, head circumference when plotted against height, the sum of the mesio-distal width and head diameter when plotted against height, and the sum of the mesiodistal width of anterior teeth, head circumference, and skull diameter when plotted against height. This is in contrast to Chiba and Terazawa, who also found a consistently lower correlation (but statistically significant) for all the parameters tested for females, while Kalia et al. found a statistically non-significant correlation for either gender when tested separately for all the parameters. According to the current study, there was sexual dimorphism between males and females in every odontometric and skull anthropometric assessment. A person's height might be accurately predicted by MD, HC, and DH. However, all of the odontometric and cranial anthropometric metrics combined to offer a highly significant prediction of H. When suitable samples, such as limbs and other body parts, are not accessible for testing, odontometric and skull anthropometric measures can be utilised as a supplementary method to estimate stature or height.
According to the present study statistical analysis, all of the anthropometric and craniometric parametric measurements in this study are statistically significant. MD, HC, and DH were able to predict the person's height with substantial accuracy out of all measurements. Nonetheless, the pooled data revealed that all of the odontometric and skull anthropometric parameters predicted H in a highly significant way. Odontometric and skull anthropometric measures can therefore be used as a supplementary method to estimate stature or height in situations where appropriate samples, such as limbs and other body parts, are not accessible for investigation.
Conclusion
The primary objective of this study was to examine the correlation between stature and gender and odontometric and skull anthropometric measurements. All odontometric and skull anthropometric measurements revealed sexual dimorphism between males and females. In the present study, it was found that MD, HC, and DH could provide a meaningful prediction about a person's height. However, all of the odontometric and cranial anthropometric metrics combined to offer a highly significant prediction of Height. When suitable samples, such as limbs and other body parts, are not accessible for testing, odontometric and skull anthropometric measures can be utilised as a supplementary method to estimate stature or height. Nonetheless, the best outcomes for the population under study might be achieved if meticulous longitudinal research is conducted on a larger sample size using the right tools.
Declarations
Author Contributions
All Authors have equal contribution and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
None
Informed Consent
Not applicable.
Data Availability
All data available on corresponding author upon responsible request.
Conflicts of Interest
There is declare no conflict of interest.
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