Abstract
The age of a living human being can be determined by applying a number of different methods; the most diffused are skeletal and dental methods, both principally based on X-rays examinations. This systematic review assesses the current evidence regarding the accuracy and reliability of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) vs. Orthopantomography (OPG) in age determination. A computerized systematic literature search of studies published up to January 2020 was conducted without language restrictions in order to identify articles comparing CBCT vs. OPG in dental anatomy evaluation, articles evaluating the accuracy of dental methods for age estimation, both with CT and OPG exams, and articles comparing CBCT vs. OPG in terms of radiation dose. CBCT was found to be more accurate compared to OPG in dental anatomy evaluation. When analyzing young adults, an estimation error of two years is considered forensically acceptable. The radiation dose of a CBCT exam is higher compared to an OPG exam. However, the difference is not as marked with small Fields Of View (FOV) and low-resolution protocols. Final conclusion was that a small FOV CBCT centered on the mandibular angle of a young patient is an accurate and safe method for dental age estimation around the age of 18.
Highlights
The age of a living subject can be determined by applying a number of different methods
Inclusion criteria were: articles comparing Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) vs. panoramic radiography in dental anatomy evaluation; articles evaluating the accuracy of dental methods for age estimation, both with CT and panoramic radiography exams; articles comparing CBCT vs. panoramic radiography in terms of radiation dose
1. article selection process is illustrated through the PRISMA flow diagram presented in the Records identified through database searching (n = 1455)
Summary
The age of a living subject can be determined by applying a number of different methods. According to the clinically estimated age of the subject, a particular set of methods is selected. Each method is characterized by a different degree of accuracy, i.e., the difference between estimated dental age (DA). Chronological age (CA), reliability, which is defined as its ability to produce stable and consistent results when the same subject is evaluated by different evaluators, and invasiveness. For these reasons, sometime different methods are normally combined, in order to obtain a more accurate age estimation
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