Abstract
Abstract
Background
Dental age estimation of adults is a challenging procedure in forensic odontology. Radiographic techniques have enabled non-invasive age estimation of adults since the 90’s. Kvaal’s method based on the deposition of secondary dentin has demonstrated broad applicability in several populations. Population-specific studies with this method, however, are scarce in South America. This study tested the validity of Kvaal’s method in a sample of radiographs of Brazilian adults. The sample consisted of 192 periapical radiographs of 106 females (55.2%) and 86 males (44.8%) with ages between 20 and 80 years old. The permanent maxillary right (n = 84, 43.8%) and left (n = 108, 56.2%) central incisors were assessed based on Kvaal’s method.
Results
Lin’s coefficient of concordance between estimated (EA) and chronological (CA) ages was 0.800 (IC95% = 0.753; 0.847) (p < 0.001). The mean difference between EA and CA was − 2.84 years (p < 0.001). For females and males, separately, the mean differences between EA and CA were − 3.82 years (CI95% = − 5.38; − 2.25) (p < 0.001) and − 1.86 years (CI95% = − 3.56; − 0.17) (p = 0.031), respectively. Underestimations were predominant and increased with time.
Conclusion
After 28 years of the original publication, Kvaal’s method remains reliable for non-invasive dental age estimation of adults, especially for the analysis of the permanent maxillary central incisors of Brazilian individuals.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Law,Health (social science),Pathology and Forensic Medicine