Age-related radiomorphometric changes on panoramic radiographs.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Forensic Anthropology

Background:

• Age-related changes in dental and mandibular anatomy are not fully understood.
• Panoramic radiography is a common diagnostic tool in dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze age-related anatomical changes in teeth and mandibular structures using panoramic radiographs.
• To identify specific radiomorphometric parameters that change with age.

Main Methods:

• 471 subjects aged 13-70 years were included.
• Panoramic radiographs were used to assess intraoral condition and radiomorphometric parameters.
• Subjects were grouped by age decade, and statistical analysis was performed.

Main Results:

• Missing teeth, endodontic treatments, crowns, and implants increased with age.
• Periodontitis prevalence rose significantly after age 40.
• Maxillary canine root length decreased with age, while pulp area/tooth ratio was higher in younger groups.
• Mandibular canal and mental foramen shifted towards the alveolar bone crest with age.

Conclusions:

• Panoramic radiography reveals distinct age-related changes in dental and mandibular structures.
• These findings can assist in age estimation for medico-legal and forensic applications.
• Radiomorphometric parameters provide valuable insights into the aging process.