Pulp Tooth Ratio-Based Age Estimation of Adults Using CBCT Images

Abstract

Introduction: The estimation of the age is of great significance in the various branches including the forensics dentistry. Various teeth have been considered for establishing the age using the pulp tooth ratio (PTR), using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Hence, to standardize the protocol and the teeth to be considered for age prediction, we have selected and compared the maxillary and mandibular central incisors and canines, as these are the teeth having the least morphologic disturbances. Materials and methods: One hundred CBCT scans of patients visiting a private imaging center were collected, and the pulp volumes were assessed by the CBCT with sections axially and sagitally using “OnDemand3D Dental software.” The linear regression analysis was performed to know the relation of the variables. The correlation of the variables was estimated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Maxillary central incisors exhibited more reliability than the maxillary canines for age estimation and among the parameters used, the axial section was found to deliver better prediction percentage than the sagittal ones. Conclusion: Maxillary central incisor PTR can be reliably used to estimate the age of an individual when compared with the canines.

Keywords

• cbct
• dental age estimation
• forensic odontology
• pulp tooth ratio