The Influence of Gender on the Cortical Width of the Lower Border of the Mandible and the Mandibular Cortical Index.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of gender on the mental index (MI) and the mandibular cortical index (MCI). METHODS In this study, there were 120 subjects (43 male and 77 female subjects), who had undergone a dental panoramic radiograph examination for the needs of diagnosis and future treatment planning. MI and MCI were determined by orthopantomograph. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference in MI dependent on gender. Male patients demonstrated significantly higher values for MI than female patients (right: t=4.127; P=0.0001, left: t=3.110; P=0.002). No statistically significant difference was observed for MCI dependent on gender (right: χ²=2.36 P=0.308, left: χ²=3.85 P=0.146). CONCLUSION MI is affected by gender, but MCI is not.