Digitized Morphometric Analysis using Maxillary Canine and Mandibular First Molar for Age Estimation in South Indian...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Odontology
• Anthropology
• Radiology

Background:

• Age estimation in living individuals is vital for judicial and civil purposes.
• Secondary dentin deposition, measurable via non-invasive radiographic techniques, correlates with aging.
• Pulp chamber reduction is a key indicator for age assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop precise, population-specific formulas for accurate age estimation.
• To validate the efficacy of radiographic dental measurements for age determination.

Main Methods:

• Digitalized Orthopantomography (OPG) from 150 subjects was analyzed.
• Pulp-tooth area ratio (maxillary canine) and pulp chamber crown root trunk height ratio (mandibular first molar) were recorded.
• Regression equations were derived from a study group and applied to a test group for age estimation.

Main Results:

• No significant difference was observed between mean chronological age and mean estimated age (p=0.157).
• The Mean Absolute Error (MAE) for age estimation was 2.76 years.
• 72% of estimated ages in the test sample fell within ± MAE, with higher discrepancies in specific groups (p=0.001, p=0.002).

Conclusions:

• Combining anterior and posterior tooth measurements yielded more accurate age estimation results.
• Prediction accuracy can be improved by incorporating multiple teeth or additional linear measurements.