Three-dimensional analysis of the maxillary sinus for determining sex and age in human identification

Abstract Objective To evaluate whether the maxillary sinus (MS) may be used to determinate sex and age in a Brazilian population when using CBCT images. Material and methods The CBCT scans of 420 individuals (228 females and 192 males) were retrospectively selected and linear measurements (height, width, length, inter-sinuses distance and maximum distance between sinuses) and volume calculation of both MS were performed. The sample was divided into two age groups: 18–40 years and >40 years. All data were submitted to descriptive (independent Student t test) and discriminant functional analysis to validate the expression of sexual dimorphism and age prediction in the metric parameters (p  Results All MS measurements were higher in males (p   0.05). The height of the right MS was the best individual sex discriminator (66.9%). When all parameters were combined, the overall accuracy rate of sex determination was 73.6%. For age, the youngest group showed higher measurements for height of both sinuses, left MS length and MS volume bilaterally (p  Conclusion Measurements of MS in CBCT images can be applied in a complementary way in the identification of sex. For age prediction, the use of MS is less accurate.