Age Estimation Using Monoradicular Teeth by comparing Pulp/Tooth Area Ratios between Bucco-lingual and Mesio-distal Periapical Radiographs

Abstract

Background: Age estimation is an integral tool in identification of the victims when visual identification is not possible. Secondary dentin deposition is a regular ageing process and can be utilized in dental age estimation when development and eruption parameters cannot be utilized.
Methods: In total, 38 monoradicular teeth of Nepalese subjects were assessed for tooth pulp ratio. Intraoral periapical radiographs of these teeth were taken, and pulp tooth ratio was calculated and dental age was estimated.
Results: The mean chronological age was 46.79 years and the mean estimated age was 44.32 years. The pulp/tooth area ratios calculated were in the range of 0.012 to 0.195, and 0.052 to 0.256 for mesio-distal and bucco-lingual planes respectively.
Conclusions: Pulp tooth ratio of maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular lateral incisors showed the highest correlation with values of 90% and 76% respectively. Mesio-distal assessment was more accurate in dental age estimation than bucco-lingual view.
Keywords: Age estimation by teeth; dental pulp; dental radiograph; pulp tooth ratio; secondary dentine