Digitized Morphometric Analysis using Maxillary Canine and Mandibular First Molar for Age Estimation in South Indian Population

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the estimation of age in living individuals have become important to solve judicial or civil problems. Secondary dentin deposition occurs as the age advances and can be measured by calculating the reduction in pulp chamber through Noninvasive radiograph techniques. AIM: The aim is to derive precise population specific formulae for age estimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digitalized Orthopantomography of 150 subjects, was retrieved. The subjects were divided into study and test group. Pulp tooth area ratio was recorded from the maxillary canine and pulp chamber crown root trunk height ratio was recorded from a mandibular first molar. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Regression equation was derived from study group subjects and this equation was used to estimate the age of subjects in the test group. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen between mean chronological age and mean estimated age (p-value- 0.157). Mean Absolute Error (MAE) was estimated to be 2.76 years. The percentage of estimated ages in test sample < ± MAE was 72%. The difference was higher in the group I and II (p-value- 0.001 and 0.002) CONCLUSION: The equation derived from the anterior and posterior teeth together gave more accurate results in the present study. The prediction accuracy can further be enhanced by using multiple teeth or by utilizing other linear measurements in the same teeth.