Age estimation from structural changes of teeth and buccal alveolar bone level

Area of Science:

• Forensic Odontology
• Radiology
• Anthropology

Background:

• Forensic odontology is crucial for identifying unknown deceased individuals and estimating their age.
• Dental age estimation methods are vital in legal and anthropological contexts.
• Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) offers detailed imaging for dental analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate chronological age using CBCT by measuring buccal alveolar bone level (ABL) to the cemento-enamel junction.
• To investigate the utility of Gustafson's age-related tooth changes via CBCT.
• To determine the forensic reliability of CBCT for dental age estimation.

Main Methods:

• 284 CBCT scans from Malay and Chinese patients (aged 20+) were analyzed.
• Buccal alveolar bone level (ABL) to cemento-enamel junction was measured.
• Gustafson's criteria (attrition, secondary dentine, periodontal recession) were evaluated.

Main Results:

• Buccal alveolar bone level showed a high correlation with chronological age (R=0.85 left, R=0.82 right).
• Gustafson's characteristics yielded lower correlation values (R=0.44-0.62).
• Buccal bone level is the most suitable age-related characteristic for forensic estimation.

Conclusions:

• Buccal alveolar bone level measurement via CBCT is a highly reliable method for forensic age estimation.
• CBCT imaging provides a robust tool for age assessment in forensic odontology.
• This technique offers a reliable alternative for estimating chronological age in deceased individuals.