Validation of Age Estimation Methods Using Pulpal Volume Changes in Radiographs for Korean Adults

Abstract

Purpose: It aims to verify the applicability of existing age estimation methods derived from data of foreign population groups to Korean population groups. Moreover it is to suggest a new way applicable to practical age estimation on the basis of newly calculated regression formulae from data of Korean population groups and develop a subsidiarily applicable method to the existing method. Methods: Ratio of pulp cavity to dental crown was calculated by measuring the height and width of dental crowns and pulp cavities at the cervical line from 4,034 first and second upper molars, first and second upper premolars, first and second lower molars and first and second lower premolars on both left and right sides of 400 patients who had been treated in Dental Hospital of Yonsei University College of Dentistry, and regression equations were derived from the values of the ratio. Results: The equation with correlation coefficients the highest among females was as follows: age=<TEX>$107.96-75.684{\times}{\sharp}17$</TEX> TCHI-<TEX>$53.741{\times}{\sharp}26$</TEX> TCVI-<TEX>$40.664{\times}{\sharp}45$</TEX> TCVI-<TEX>$56.307{\times}{\sharp}46$</TEX> TCVI. Randomized anohter Korean female subjects (n=20) are applicated to the new equation. Mean of error of estimate is 10.322 years, standard deviation is 12.852 years. Minimum of error of estimate is 1.018 years, maximum is 21.365 years Conclusions: The error range of age estimation was found to be slightly wider when the existing regression formulae of Drusini were applied to Korean population groups. Also age estimation in females using the ratio of pulp cavity to dental crown measured with the length and width of dental crowns and pulp cavities from maxillomandibular molars was observed to have the highest reliability in the research. However, we consider that advanced equations of regression are needed to apply to both molars and premolars of males and females in the future.