Morphological analysis of the lower second premolar for age estimation of Korean adults. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Jeong-Hee; Lee, Chena; Battulga, Bulgan; Na, Ji Yeon; Hwang, Jae Joon; Kim, Young Hyun; Han, Sang-Sun
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 281(2017)
• Page Start: 186.e1
• Page End: 186.e6
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Age estimation by teeth -- Dental pulp cavity -- Forensic dentistry -- Panoramic radiography -- Secondary dentin -- Forensic Anthropology Population Data; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.10.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: The pulp/tooth area ratio in panoramic radiography is effective for age estimation. The pulp/root area ratio is more accurate than that of the whole tooth. The ratio of female was more accurate than that of male in dental age estimation. Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to examine the applicability of the pulp/tooth area ratio in the lower premolar teeth using panoramic radiography in age estimation of Korean adults. Methods: 402 digital panoramic images of Korean adults between 20 and 78 years were analyzed. Following Cameriere et al.'s method, two observers measured the pulp and tooth areas of the lower second premolar on digital panoramic images, and the ratio of pulp to tooth area in the whole tooth (PTR) was calculated. In addition, the whole tooth was divided into coronal and root parts at the cementoenamel junction, and the ratios in the coronal part (PcCR) and root part (PrRR) were also calculated separately. Independent t-test, Analysis of covariance, linear regression, and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) were computed using statistical software. To justify the use of linear regression models for purposes of prediction, diagnostic tests of principal assumptions were also performed. Results: Independent t-test revealed significant differences in genders. PrRR produced the best age correlation (male, SEE = 10.8; female, SEE = 9.8; total, SEE = 10.4 years), followed closely by PTR (male, SEE = 11.1; female, SEE = 10.3; total, SEE = 10.7 years) and a relatively lower accuracy for PcCR (male, SEE = 14.7; female, SEE = 14.4; total, SEE = 14.6 years). Model assumptions and accuracy for purposes of prediction in PTR and PrRR were satisfied. Conclusions: The pulp/tooth area ratio using panoramic radiography has the potential as an effective tool for age estimation in the Korean adult population, and the pulp/tooth area ratio in the root part is more accurate than that of the whole tooth. Notably, female has shown higher accuracy compare to male subject.