Anthropometric bio-profiling of pulp chamber volume in comparison with Kvaal's method using CBCT images in...

Age and sex estimation are important components of forensic identification, and dental structures provide reliable indicators due to their resistance to post-mortem changes. This study aimed to compare two CBCT-based approaches for forensic assessment in a South Indian population. The primary objective was to estimate age using the modified Kvaal method, while the secondary objective was to assess pulp chamber volume for sex estimation using ITK-SNAP software.

Study sample includes retrospective analysis of 225 CBCT images collected from June 2020- June 2024 along with patient data to assess chronological age and sex. Maxillary and mandibular canine teeth were specifically selected due to their well-established anatomical features. Pulp chamber volume and linear measurements based on a modified Kvaal method were obtained using ITK-SNAP version 4.0.2. These two methods of morphometric assessment were compared and the accuracy between them were evaluated using necessary statistical analysis.

The sample data followed a normal distribution, and both pulp chamber volume and Kvaal's method were significantly associated with age (p < 0.05). Pearson corelation, multiple linear regression analysis revealed that pulp chamber volume was a reliable predictor of age, while logistic regression and ROC curve showed Kvaal's method was more accurate in determining sex.

Pulp chamber volume assessment and the modified Kvaal technique are reliable approaches for age estimation. However, pulp volume analysis demonstrates relatively greater efficiency in age estimation, whereas the Kvaal method shows better applicability in sex determination.