Age estimation by canines' pulp/tooth ratio in an Iranian population using digital panoramic radiography. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dehghani, Mahdieh; Shadkam, Elaheh; Ahrari, Farzaneh; Dehghani, Mahboobe
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 285(2018)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Chronological age -- Panoramic radiography -- Pulp area -- Tooth -- 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.2018.01.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Pulp/tooth ratio of canines on panoramic is useful to predict chronological age. Upper canine ratio was better correlated with chronological age than lower canine. The gender had no significant effect on the canine's pulp/tooth area ratio. Abstract: Objective: Age estimation in adults is an important issue in forensic science. This study aimed to estimate the chronological age of Iranians by means of pulp/tooth area ratio (AR) of canines in digital panoramic radiographs. Materials and methods: The sample consisted of panoramic radiographs of 271 male and female subjects aged 16–64 years. The pulp/tooth area ratio (AR) of upper and lower canines was calculated by AutoCAD software. Data were subjected to correlation and regression analysis. Results: There was a significant and inverse correlation between age and pulp/tooth area ratio of upper and lower canines (r = −0.794 for upper canine and r = −0.282 for lower canine; p-value < 0.001). Linear regression equations were derived separately for upper, lower and both canines. The mean difference between actual and estimated age using upper canine was 6.07 ± 1.7. Conclusion: The results showed that the pulp/tooth area ratios of canines are a reliable method for age estimation in Iranians. The pulp/tooth area ratio of upper canine was better correlated with chronological age than that of lower canine.