Volumetric Analysis of Teeth using Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Age Estimation among the Indian Residents: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: In forensic odontology, dental age estimation is important. Deposition of secondary dentin is a more significant method in dental age predicton. This secondary dentin decreases the size of the pulp cavity. Thus, pulp size is reduced with advancing age. Therefore, the tooth to pulp size area ratio goes on increasing as age increases. Aim: To assess the ratio of “pulp/tooth volume” in single and multi- rooted teeth by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and correlate with the age. Objective: 1. To analyse ratio of pulp/ tooth volume in single and multi-rooted teeth, 2. To evaluate accuracy of the Yang’s formula available for age estimation, 3. To generate the formula for multi rooted teeth and correlate with the age. Methodology: 150 extracted teeth of which 50 permanent maxillary canines, 50 maxillary first premolars and 50 permanent maxillary first molars were collected and subjected to CBCT scanning for volumetric analysis. ‘Pulp Volume (PV)’, ‘Tooth Volume (TV)’ and ‘Pulp/Tooth Volume Ratio (PTVR)’ were calculated. Result: Linear regression analyses established that the chronological age and PTVR correlated with each other. Pearson correlation coefficient showed TV, PV and PTVR were inversely proportional to age. Conclusion: This study revealed that permanent maxillary canine has the best correlation with age followed by First molar and First premolar.