Study of secondary dentine deposition in central incisors as an age estimation method for adults

Abstract

This work aimed to assess the pulp/tooth area ratio’s utility in the upper central incisors using orthopantomograms. A convenience sample of 801 adult patient orthopantomograms was studied. Image J® software was used to measure the pulp/tooth area ratio, and a regression model was developed. Our results conclude that the methodology assessing upper incisors’ pulp/tooth area ratio using orthopantomograms can lead to age overestimation and statistically significant differences between chronological and estimated age. For those over 50, no correlation between pulp/tooth area ratio and chronological age was found, suggesting that this may be the upper limit of this technique in this population. This methodology may not be suitable for age estimation, particularly in older adults.