Abstract

AGE ESTIMATION BASED ON VARIATION IN THE PULP CAVITY OF MAXILLARY INCISORS - A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY

*Dr. Uday Ginjupally MDS, Dr. P. Ramaswamy MDS, Dr. Tanya Khaitan MDS, Dr. J. Srilakshmi MDS, Dr. Pattipati Sreenivasulu MDS, Dr. N.V. Santhosh MDS

Abstract

Aim and objectives: To estimate the age of the patients belonging to the age 15-65 yrs, attending the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, St Joseph dental college and hospital, Eluru based on radiographic evaluation of pulp cavity width of maxillary central and lateral incisors. Materials and methods: The study group comprises of 200 subjects of age 15-65yrs. Intraoral periapical radiographs of maxillary incisors are taken for all subjects using conventional paralleling angle technique and pulp cavity width is measured at cervical and middle third using digital vernier caliper. The recorded data is subjected for statistical analysis. Regression analysis was carried out to obtain the estimated age using pulp cavity width. Results: Student t-test showed statistical significant difference in cervical and middle third pulpal widths in males and females. Anegative linear relationship was obtained between age and pulp cavity width in males and females. Cubic regression analysis was done and regression formulas were obtained. The mean real age of males and females are 40.83 years and 41.17 years respectively. The mean estimated ages are 40.53 years and 40.96 years in males and females respectively. Interpretation and Conclusion: Our study revealed a negative linear relationship between age and pulp cavity width. Accordingly, regression formulas were derived for males and females. The estimated age showed an average difference of 0.30 years in males and 0.21 years in females, supporting the applicability of regression formula in the adult Eluru population.

Keywords: Forensic dentistry; Age determination; Pulp cavity; Maxillary central incisor; Regression analysis.