Age estimation in Indians from extracted unsectioned teeth

Abstract

Teeth are useful indicators of age-at-death and non-destructive methods ensure preservation of dental evidentiary material which could be used for court presentation. No previous data exists on estimating age from extracted teeth per se in Indians. This paper examined four parameters-dental attrition, periodontal ligament (PDL) attachment level, root dentin translucency and root color-on a heterogeneous sample of 106 teeth extracted from as many subjects (age range = 20-78 years). A number of well-established methods that used both visual grading and measurements were utilized in assessing these changes. Linear and stepwise regression analyses revealed low correlation (r/R = 0.05-0.46) and high standard errors of estimate (± 13.1-4.6 years). PDL attachment level graded using the visual criteria showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.45), possibly owing to dietary habits in Indians contributing to consistent gingival recession with aging; dentinal translucency-irrespective of whether they were visually graded or measured-exhibited the lowest correlation (r = 0.05-0.09; p > 0.05), probably due to its diffused appearance on extracted unsectioned teeth, undermining proper delineation. PDL attachment level and attrition entered the stepwise regression analysis (R = 0.46; p < 0.01), implying that age may be estimated 'clinically' without the necessity for tooth extraction; however, low correlation and high error rates preclude its routine usage in forensic cases.