Tooth Coronal Pulp Index as a Tool for Age Estimation in Egyptian Population

Abstract

Age estimation from tooth – coronal index (TCI) using dental radiographs based on reduction in the size of the dental pulp cavity with advancing age as a result of secondary dentin deposition, has been presented. The study aimed to assess the accuracy of age estimation from TCI of mandibular premolars and molars (except wisdom teeth) of both sides using panoramic radiographs of known age and sex and to develop regression equations that can be used in the Egyptians. The study was conducted on 234 Egyptian subjects (119 males and 115 females) of known age and sex. The length of tooth crown and that of coronal pulp cavity (in mm) of 845 mandibular premolars and 835 mandibular molars were measured. Then TCI was computed for each tooth and regressed on the real age of the sample. The results reveal that the mean ± SE age of the studied subjects is 25.52 ± 0.84 years (ranges from 8 to 74 years). There is no difference in TCI between both sexes. TCI for premolars is larger than those of molars and it is higher in males than females (27.24 ± 0.077 to 28.51 ± 0.755 in females; 27.26 ± 0.748 to 28.66 ± 0.846 in males); and (24.79 ± 0.763 to 28.44 ± 0.680 in females; 24.81 ± 0.835 to 29.45 ± 0.866 in males) respectively. Also there is highest significant correlation of the 2nd right premolar TCI with age (p ≤ 0.05). It could be concluded that TCI method of mandibular teeth was found to be the best radiologic; rapid and non - invasive method for age estimation and the regression equations should be applied cautiously for different populations and time periods.