A comparative analysis between various teeth in Kvaal′s and Cameriere′s methods of age estimation in a specific populace of Andhra Pradesh: An original study

Abstract

Context: Comparison between antemortem and postmortem dental records and radiographs produces results with a high degree of reliability and relative simplicity. Kvaal et al. introduced an age estimation method by indirectly measuring secondary dentin deposition on radiographs. Cameriere et al., later, put forth a method based on radiographic estimation of pulp/tooth area ratio (AR) in canines. The purpose of the present study was to compare the reliability of various teeth in Kvaal's and Cameriere's methods of age estimation in a specific populace of Andhra Pradesh origin. Materials and Methods: One-hundred and ten patients aged between 15 and 75 years were selected, and the variables p = complete pulp length/root length (from enamel-cementum junction [ECJ]-root apex), r = complete pulp length/complete tooth length, a = complete pulp length/root width at ECJ level, b = pulp/root width at midpoint level between ECJ level and mid-root level, and c = pulp/root width at mid-root level and pulp/tooth AR were recorded as devised in Kvaal's and Cameriere's methods of age estimation, respectively. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (version 10.5) package. The mean comparison of morphological variables was carried out using Student's t-test. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of measurements was studied using the concordance correlation coefficient. Results: In Kvaal's method, mandibular first premolar correlated best with age with an R2 value of 81.90% and a standard error of the estimate in years (SEE) of 5.889 years followed by maxillary central incisor (R2 = 80.30%), whereas in Cameriere's method, mandibular first premolar correlated best with an R2 value of 93.50% and an SEE of 3.564 years followed by maxillary central incisor (R2 = 87.90%), mandibular lateral incisor (R2 = 86.30%), maxillary lateral incisor (R2 = 85.50%), mandibular canine (R2 = 85.40%), and maxillary second premolar (R2 = 83.30%). Conclusion: Although both Kvaal's and Cameriere's methods were found suitable for age estimation in Andhra Pradesh population, Cameriere's method, in particular, was found to be more reliable. Mandibular first premolar was found to be the best predictor of age followed by maxillary central incisor.