Tooth segmentation algorithm for age estimation

Abstract

The estimation of age of adult subjects usually is based on age-related changes in skeleton. An interesting non invasive method, recently developed, involves teeth parameters achievable from peri-apical X-ray. Specifically, this procedure estimates age of adults through the changes of the tooth due to the apposition of secondary dentine, using pulp and tooth area as fundamental parameters. Aim of this study is to define an algorithm able to detect the boundary of the interested tooth in order to apply an automatic procedure for age estimation. The algorithm is based on classical segmentation methods as thresholding and shape analysis. Furthermore, our early results obtained on a small sample, are encouraging to proceed on this path.