Age Estimation by Pulp/Tooth Ratio in Canines by Mesial and Vestibular Peri‐Apical X‐Rays

Abstract

Changes in the size of the pulp canal, caused by apposition of secondary dentine, are the best morphometric parameters for estimating age by X-rays. The apposition of secondary dentine is the most frequently used method for age estimation in adult subjects. In two previous papers, we studied the application of the pulp/tooth area ratio by peri-apical X-rays as an indicator of age at death. The aim of the present study was to test the accuracy of age evaluation by combined analysis of labio-lingual and mesial peri-apical X-rays of lower and upper canines. A total of 200 such X-rays were assembled from 57 male and 43 female skeletons of Caucasian origin, aged between 20 and 79 years. For each skeleton, dental maturity was evaluated by measuring the pulp/tooth area ratio according to labio-lingual and mesial X-rays on upper (x(1), x(2)) and lower (x(3), x(4)) canines. Very good agreement was found between intra-observer measurements. Statistical analysis showed that all variables x(1), x(2), x(3), and x(4) and the first-order interaction between x(1) and x(3) contributed significantly to the fit, so that they were included in the regression model, yielding the following regression formula: Age = 120.737 - 337.112x(1) - 79.709x(2) - 364.534x(3) - 65.655x(4) + 1531.918x(1)x(3) . The residual standard error of estimated ages was 3.62 years, with 94 degrees of freedom, and the median of the residuals was -0.155 years, with an interquartile range of 4.96 years. The accuracy of the method was ME = 2.8 years, where ME is the mean prediction error. The model also explained 94% of total variance (R(2) = 0.94).

Dental age estimation in a Brazilian adult population using Cameriere’s method

“…This finding is consistent with reports from other studies. 16,21 The age estimates were less variable in adults aged 40-49 years, with a lower observed mean error (ME = 6.08-6.87; SD = 4.04-4.83); therefore, this method improved the accuracy of age estimates in this group. The relationship between the pulp and central incisors in individuals aged 41-50 years was evaluated in another study, and compared to the RA of 47.18 years, the mean estimated age was 47.17 years.…”

“…Several studies have used orthopantomographs, 14,18,19 but we used periapical radiographs in this study because they produced more reliable data with lower chances of superimposition. 4,18,20,21,22,23,24 One of the difficulties we encountered was achieving the desired sample size because all radiographs did not show 4 healthy canines. This issue was more common in patients aged 60 years and older.…”

“…This finding was similar to other studies. 7,19,20,21,22,23,24 Studies that used the method reported here 14,18,22,23,24 showed that sexual dimorphism did not significantly influence age estimation equations; hence, we did not evaluate the sexes separately.…”

“…26 The results of this study show that although the Brazilian formula yielded better results than the original formula, its capacity for determining age estimates close to the RA was lower than those obtained in other studies that used the same technique. 14,20,21,22 One reason could be that most studies used osteological collections as samples, and radiographic images were taken exclusively for these studies with no interference from either soft tissues or other teeth. In our study, periapical radiographs were taken as part of routine dental examinations for treatment reasons.…”

Defining Dental Age for Chronological Age Determination

“…Beginning of mineralization both in the intrauterine life and after birth [14,15,30] 3. Amount of crown completion [14,30,31] 4. Eruption into the oral cavity [13][14][15]30] 5.…”