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Tooth Morphometry of Bengali Population: A Forensic Anthropological Studies

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • 2Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • 3Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • 4Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • 5Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
  • 6Department of Oral Maxillofacial Pathology Microbiology; Forensic Odontology, Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital, Ram Gopal Ghosh Road, Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Res. J. Forensic Sci., Volume 14, Issue (2), Pages 7-12, July,29 (2026)

Abstract

Dental morphometry, which focuses on the shape and form of teeth, has been a key tool for identifying individuals for centuries. In forensic odontology, teeth can offer vital information when other identification methods are not available. This study investigates the potential of dental morphometry for identifying individuals within the Bengali population. By examining specific dental traits, including tooth size, shape, and unique features, we aim to create a database that reflects the dental variations unique to this group. This database could be instrumental in forensic investigations, cases of missing persons, anthropological studies, identifying victims of mass disasters and comparison to other population India and Abroad. The patients visiting the outpatient department of Kusum Devi Sunderlal Dugar Jain Dental College & Hospital demographically for Bengali natives. Impression of maxillary arche was taken with the help of alginate impression material, cast were made out of that impression and the mesio-distal length of each tooth, inter-canine distance (I.C.D), palatal depth (P.D) were recorded with a help of Digital Vernier caliper. The result of the present study gave us information about the morphological characteristic of teeth in a Bengali population. The average tooth morphology, inter-canine distance, palatal depth of females are smaller than that of males. In both the population ovoid arch type is highest (males- 45.45%) (females-52.17%) followed by tapered arch type (males 39.39%) (females 30.43%) least is Square arch type (males 15.16%) (females17.39%). Cusp of Carabelli is seen in Bengali population (5.36%). Supernumerary canine is also seen (3.57%). Forensic odontology plays important role in gender determination of individual where bodies are mutilated beyond recognition. Gender determination is a crucial step for medico legal cases. Teeth are excellent material because they are extremely durable in cases of fire and bacterial decomposition. Although our study has revealed significant results, further studies with larger sample size and more statistical techniques may contribute in human identification.

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