The coronal pulp cavity index an aid in age determination - A cone beam computed tomography study

Abstract

Background: The objective of the present study was to assess the accuracy of age estimation from TCI of mandibular molars (except wisdom teeth) of both sides using CBCT images of known age and sex, so that we can apply this method to estimate age in both living individuals and skeletal material of unknown age. Methods: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted on a total of 100 CBCT images of subjects who were referred to the department for varied diagnostic purposes of known age and gender. All CBCT images with a fully visible pulp cavity were selected. Two measurements were taken at two different levels. Height of the crown (CH) and height of the coronal pulp cavity (CPCH). Then tooth – coronal index (TCI) for each tooth was calculated as follows: TCI = CPCH X 100 / CH. Results: Comparison of TCI value between male and female showed no significant difference between the gender. Among the four mandibular molars (lower left and right1stand 2nd molars) 46 and 47 TCI correlates well with age. TCI of 46 has significant prediction of age in female with an R value of 0.426. Inter observer measurements showed a moderate to good agreement of the measures. Conclusions: TCI method of mandibular teeth was found to be a reliable method for age estimation and not gender determination. CBCT can be used in age determination for forensic purposes as it is non-invasive and also makes it possible to reconstruct the images in different planes showing the anatomical and imaged structures at different planes.