AGE ESTIMATION IN INDIAN POPULATION BY KVAAL’S METHOD USING MAXILLARY CANINE

Abstract

Introduction: Age estimation in adults is advantageous in forensic odontology. With increase in age, dental pulp volume gets reduced due to secondary dentine formation. Kvaal et al. formulated a method for chronological age estimation based on pulp size by periapical dental radiographs. Aim and objective: Testing the Kvaal’s method for chronological age estimation in Indian population using patients’ intraoral periapical radiographs of maxillary canine. Materials and methods: This study included total of 100 subjects out of which 48 were females and 52 were males of age group 21-70 years. The ratios A1, A2, A3, A4 were calculated – pulp to root length, pulp to tooth length, tooth to root length, pulp to root width at three different levels respectively to avoid any discrepancy in magnification and angulation ofx-ray. Measurements were done using Kvaal’s method and was analyzed for regression analysis and regression equations were obtained and checked for the results. Results: PCC indicated that among the ratiosA1, A2, A4 were less statistically significant compared toA3 which was more significant individually. Conclusion: Ratio A3 is a good indicator and thus linear regression was derived by this variable and all variables together as well. A1, A2, A4 were not good indicators individually for age estimation.