Age Estimation Using Pulp/Tooth Volume Ratio of canine teeth in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Images

Abstract

Background and Aim: Age estimation is an important issue in forensic medicine.Teeth are more resistant to changes than bones, so they are one of the main indicators for age estimation in forensic medicine. To determine the relationship between age and dental changes, the ratio of dental pulp/Tooth volume (PV/ TV) is one of the most appropriate indicators. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between PV/TV ratio and chronological age in canine teeth using CBCT images. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a total of 183 CBCT images were selected randomly from archive of images in an oral and maxillofacial radiology center. The images were imported into the 3D Slicer software as DICOM data. Pulp volume, tooth volume and their ratio were calculated. Data were introduced into SPSS 17. We used T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression for data analysis. Results: The mean value of PV/TV ratio was not different significantly in relation to gender, teeth location (mandible and maxilla, right and left sides), but there was a significant difference in terms of age. Pearson correlation showed a significant negative relation between the age of the subjects and PV/TV ratio (R = -0.714). The results of regression analysis for all data and also for all of 6 age groups showed significant correlation only in the age groups of 15-19 and 50- 59 years old. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there was an inverse and significant relationship between PV/TV ratio and chronological age. Also, in the age groups of 15-19 and 50-59 years, it seems that regression model can be considered a reliable method to estimate age in Iranian population.

Keywords

• age determination by teeth
• cone beam computed tomography
• dental pulp
• forensic dentistry
• micro ct scan