Tooth coronal index biomarker for age estimation using digital panoramic radiography- A retrospective study

Abstract

Background: A study was carried out to analyze the efficacy and practical application for age estimation using digital panoramic radiograph to exploit image analysis to obtain metric measurement of morphologic parameters of permanent right and left mandibular 1st molar and 2nd premolar. Aim: To know the significance of tooth coronal index with age and to select a tooth which is reliable for prediction of actual age. Objective: To compare original age with the estimated age of right and left mandibular 1st molar and 2nd premolar. Materials and Methods: The OPG of 100 subjects aged 20-50 years were selected for the study. The crown height and coronal pulp cavity height were measured of right and left quadrants of 1st molar and 2nd premolar and tooth coronal index was calculated and actual age compared with tooth coronal index of each tooth. Statistical Analysis Used: Pearson correlation co-efficient was used to find the significance of the relationship between age and tooth coronal index. Regression analysis was used for predicting age using tooth coronal index for right and left 1st molar and 2nd premolar. Results: Results revealed that there is no significant correlation between the estimated age and actual age and this study reveals that right mandibular 1st molar has more accuracy them other selected teeth. Conclusion: Tooth coronal index has the potential to estimate age of an individual on dental radiographs. Keywords: Age estimation, panoramic radiograph, Tooth coronal index, Pulp cavity height, Pulp/tooth ratio.