Age-related changes in the pulp chamber of maxillary and mandibular molars on cone-beam computed tomography images

Secondary dentine is laid on pulp chamber walls with increasing age, and decreases pulp chamber size. This study aimed to investigate age estimation on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for forensic science, and the relationship between age and pulp chamber area of maxillary and mandibular molars.

We reviewed the CBCT images of 316 first molars in 87 patients with dental lesions. The 87 patients were classified into three groups: younger, 11-28 years; middle-aged, 34-59 years; and older, 60-74 years. The relationship between age and pulp chamber area of maxillary and mandibular molars was evaluated.

The mean pulp chamber area of maxillary molars was 8.4 ± 2.0, 4.4 ± 1.7, and 2.9 ± 0.9 mm² in the younger, middle-aged, and older groups, respectively, (p = 0.028). The mean pulp chamber area of mandibular molars was 10.5 ± 2.3, 6.7 ± 2.2, and 3.7 ± 1.5 mm² in the younger, middle-aged, and older groups, respectively, (p = 0.000). The mean pulp chamber area of mandibular molars was larger than that of maxillary molars in the younger (p = 0.000), middle-aged (p = 0.000), and older (p = 0.094) groups. The mean pulp chamber area of maxillary and mandibular molars was significantly correlated with age [Y = -0.142X + 11.582 (R ² = 0.586, p = 0.000) and Y = -0.163X + 14.249 (R ² = 0.609, p = 0.000), respectively].

These findings should be useful for diagnosis and treatment planning in dental practice and age estimation in forensic science.