Role of Dental Pulp in Age Estimation: A Quantitative and Morphometric Study

Overview

Journal J Forensic Dent Sci

Date 2020 Feb 22

PMID 32082045

Citations 10

Authors

Anjum Baker

K Karpagaselvi

Jayalakshmi Kumaraswamy

M R Ranjini

Jabeen Gowher

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Context: This study was designed to characterize the role of the dental pulp (DP) in age estimation.

Aim: The analysis of age-related quantifiable changes in DP components such as odontoblasts, collagen fibers, and blood vessels.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred and twenty extracted teeth from six age groups (20-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, and 71-80 years) were subjected to decalcification and routine histopathological processing followed by Hematoxylin and Eosin and Picrosirius Red staining. Evaluation of the number of odontoblasts, mean vessel area (MVA), mean vessel diameter (MVD), and collagen fiber thickness were done.

Statistical Analysis Used: ANOVA test, Fisher's test, and Regression Analysis.

Results: Reduction in the number of odontoblasts/mm of pulp-dentinal border, MVA, and MVD were seen with advancing age. Rise in collagen fiber thickness was noted with increasing age. All parameters showed strongly statistically significant differences between age groups with < 0.001 (ANOVA test).

Conclusions: Regression formulae derived for age estimation based on data collected demonstrated linear correlation with age. Collagen fiber thickness had the highest accuracy followed by odontoblast numbers and MVA. MVD was the least accurate among the factors considered. However, the highest accuracy of 90.9% was seen when all parameters were incorporated together in a single equation.

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