Crown and Cusp Dimensions of the Maxillary First Molar: A Study of Sexual Dimorphism in Indian Jat Sikhs

Abstract

The human first maxillary molar provides clues about evolution and is functionally important. Crowns of maxillary molars have four main cusps, each having an independent growth pattern and different evolutionary background. The study aims to quantify the morphometric criterion for the maxillary first molar giving a special emphasis to sexual dimorphism. Measurements of the first maxillary molar were taken on 100 casts of Jat Sikh students (50 males, 50 females) studying in the local medical college in the age group of 17-21 years. The Jat Sikh community of Punjab is endogamous at the caste level. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare the samples for males and females. There is statistically significant sexual dimorphism (P < 0.01) for the maxillary first molar’s crown and cusp components in the Jat Sikhs. The sequence of dimorphism in cusp dimensions corresponds to the order of formation of the cusps. The percentage sexual dimorphism for the hypocone is high (right 7.2%, left 7.4%).