Article: Pulp/tooth ratio of mandibular first and second molars on panoramic radiographs: An aid for forensic age estimation

Objective: To determine and compare the accuracy of pulp/tooth ratio method in mandibular first and second molar teeth in forensic age estimation.

Materials And Methods: A total 300 panoramic radiographs of the Gujarati population (187 males and 113 females) were studied. The measurements of Pulp Chamber Height (PCH) and Crown Root Trunk Height (CRTH) were performed on the mandibular first and second molar teeth. The acquired data was subjected to correlation and regression.

Results: The pulp chamber crown root trunk height ratios (PCTHR) of both the first (r = -0.609) and second molars (r = -0.422) were significantly correlated with the age of the individual. Individual regression formulae were derived for both the teeth which were then used separately to calculate the age. The standard errors estimate (SEE) for the first and second molars were 8.84 years and 10.11 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between chronological and calculated age by both the teeth (P = 1.000).

Conclusion: The mandibular first and second molar is a potential tool for age estimation in forensic dentistry. The pulp/tooth ratio of both the teeth is a useful method for forensic age prediction with reasonable accuracy in the Gujarati population.

Citing Articles

Performance of Artificial Intelligence Models Designed for Automated Estimation of Age Using Dento-Maxillofacial Radiographs-A Systematic Review.

Khanagar S, Albalawi F, AlShehri A, Awawdeh M, Iyer K, Alsomaie B Diagnostics (Basel). 2024; 14(11).

PMID: 38893606 PMC: 11172066. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111079.

Age estimation by pulp canal/root ratio in Yorkshire terrier dogs.

Pereira J, Venturini M, Ferro D, Correa H, Matos R, Requicha J Can Vet J. 2024; 65(2):156-161.

PMID: 38304483 PMC: 10783586.

Applications of contemporary artificial intelligence technology in forensic odontology as primary forensic identifier: A scoping review.

Mohammad N, Ahmad R, Kurniawan A, Mohd Yusof M Front Artif Intell. 2022; 5:1049584.

PMID: 36561660 PMC: 9763471. DOI: 10.3389/frai.2022.1049584.

Volume analysis of second molar pulp chamber using cone beam computed tomography for age estimation in Egyptian adults.

Helmy M, Osama M, Elhindawy M, Mowafey B J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2021; 38(3):25-34.

PMID: 33507164 PMC: 8565657.

Age-group determination of living individuals using first molar images based on artificial intelligence.

Kim S, Lee Y, Noh Y, Park F, Auh Q Sci Rep. 2021; 11(1):1073.

PMID: 33441753 PMC: 7806774. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80182-8.

References

1.

Limdiwala P, Shah J . Age estimation by using dental radiographs. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2013; 5(2):118-22. PMC: 3826039. DOI: 10.4103/0975-1475.119778. View

2.

Jagannathan N, Neelakantan P, Thiruvengadam C, Ramani P, Premkumar P, Natesan A . Age estimation in an Indian population using pulp/tooth volume ratio of mandibular canines obtained from cone beam computed tomography. J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2011; 29(1):1-6. PMC: 5734837. View

3.

Kvaal S, Kolltveit K, Thomsen I, Solheim T . Age estimation of adults from dental radiographs. Forensic Sci Int. 1995; 74(3):175-85. DOI: 10.1016/0379-0738(95)01760-g. View

4.

Cameriere R, Ferrante L, Belcastro M, Bonfiglioli B, Rastelli E, Cingolani M . Age estimation by pulp/tooth ratio in canines by peri-apical X-rays. J Forensic Sci. 2007; 52(1):166-70. DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00336.x. View

5.

Meinl A, Tangl S, Pernicka E, Fenes C, Watzek G . On the applicability of secondary dentin formation to radiological age estimation in young adults. J Forensic Sci. 2007; 52(2):438-41. DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00377.x. View

Pulp/tooth Ratio of Mandibular First and Second Molars on Panoramic Radiographs: An Aid for Forensic Age Estimation