Age Estimation through Dental Measurements Using Cone-Beam Computerized Tomography Images in a Sample of Upper Egyptian Population

Abstract

The role of forensic odontology has increased in recent years. Age estimation of living or deceased individuals is an important aspect of this science .Dental age estimation methods are of particular value because teeth are highly resistant to mechanical, chemical, or physical impacts and time. So the aim of this study was to investigate the possible estimation of age by using dental age through some dental measurements using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). The study was done on forty eight cases (24 males and 24 females). Multiple measurements were done on the right upper central incisor, right upper lateral incisors, right upper canine and right first premolar teeth and their pulp at different levels (maximum width of the crown, cervical area, mid-root and apex) by many views: sagittal (bucco-lingual dimension), coronal (mesiodistal dimension), and axial (bucco-lingual and mesiodistal dimensions). In addition the tooth and the pulp areas were measured .The study proved that the most accurate model for determination of age in upper first premolar tooth was measurement of pulp length + pulp width at the crown+ pulp width mid level of the pulp where R was 97%. Followed by upper central incisor pulp width at mid-level of the pulp in Bucco-lingual view with R 96%. While measurement of tooth length for upper canine at Bucco-lingual view was the least accurate method for this tooth with R 90%. So the study concluded that using CBCT is useful in detection of age by obtaining linear teeth measurements. In addition, the use of the upper first premolar tooth measurements followed by upper central incisor followed by upper canine are useful in estimating the chronologic age of any person.