Chronological age estimation by measuring pulp chamber volume in teeth with open apices: A CBCT analysis

Abstract

Background. In the domain of forensic medicine, the estimation of age is a critical aspect of human identification, including that of adolescents. Objectives. The study aimed to examine the relationship between the pulp chamber volume of teeth with open apices and the chronological age of adolescents from the Turkish population. Material and methods. The study was conducted by examining cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 51 pediatric patients who visited the Department of Pedodontics for routine dental examinations. All CBCT images were captured using a NewTom 5G unit (QR, Verona, Italy). The measurements were recorded in DICOM format using the SimPlant Pro 16 software (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). Results. A moderate and positive significant correlation was observed between the age of the premolar group patients and impacted pulp volume (IMPV). The increase in volume measurements of the patients in the premolar group indicates that their age is significantly higher (r = 0.561, p = 0.030). A moderate and negative significant relationship was identified between the age of the premolar group patients and erupted pulp volume (EPV). The increase in the EPV measurements of the patients in the premolar group indicates that their age is significantly lower (r = –0.491, p = 0.041). Conclusions. The pulp chamber volume of premolars, which narrows due to secondary dentin deposition, served as the physical marker for chronological age estimation of adolescents in the Turkish population. The measurement of the mature and immature premolar pulp volume could be used for age estimation, particularly in the context of CBCT analysis.