Age Estimation by Assessment of Dentin Translucency in Single Rooted Permanent Teeth

BACKGROUND: To estimate the age by evaluating the area and length of dentin translucency in single-rooted ground sections of extracted teeth using digital Vernier caliper and stereomicroscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ground sections of single rooted permanent anterior teeth were made and stained with 1% methylene blue. The area and length of dentin translucency were measured using digital Vernier caliper and with the help of stereomicroscope. RESULTS: Linear regressive analysis showed that estimation of age by assessing the area of dentin translucency with Vernier caliper was statistically significant and showed a high regression co-efficient (R = 0.7738) when compared to evaluation of age by assessment of length. Multilinear regressive analysis done to calculate age by both area and length also showed a high co-efficient of regression (R = 0.7797). CONCLUSION: The area of dentin translucency showed good correlation with age when compared to the length.