Age estimation from pulp tooth area ratio of mandibular canine using an orthopantomogram: A cross-sectional study

Background: Age estimation of living adult individuals can be accomplished with limited methods. Radiographic dental methods based on secondary dentin deposition have been described as one of them. In the present study, the relationship between chronological age and the ratio of pulp to tooth area using available panoramic images of mandibular canine by Kvaal’s technique was carried out for the age estimation in the study population.

Materials and Methods: 24 orthopantomogram images (OPG) of mandibular canines between 16-56 years were collected from the archives and pulp tooth area ratios were measured. Age was estimated using the regression equation obtained.

Results: It was observed that variables M’, ‘L’, and ‘r’ correlated highly with age and were included in the regression model. Statistical analysis indicated that the regression equation with selected variables explained 94.4% of the total variance. There was no significant difference between chronological and estimated age (p>0.05) signifying that the derived formula is appropriate for all the selected age groups.

Conclusion: The derived population-specific regression equation can be potentially used for the estimation of the chronological age of the study population.