Age Estimation Using the Pulp-to-Tooth Area Ratio in an Indian Population Using Cone-Beam Computerised Tomography (CBCT): A Retrospective Study

Background: Age estimation, whether for living or deceased individuals, is crucial in forensic sciences. Traditionally, the pulp-to-tooth area ratio determined from periapical radiographs has been employed as a non-invasive method for estimating age. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) represents a newer technique, providing three-dimensional images of teeth in living individuals. Aim: This study aims to estimate age using the pulp-to-tooth area ratio of four teeth (the permanent maxillary central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, and first premolar. Study design: The study included ninety subjects ranging in age from 18 to 70 years. Conclusion: This study concluded that the correlation between actual age and estimated age varied across different tooth types. There was a strong positive correlation between the maxillary right central incisor and maxillary right canine tooth, while the maxillary left canine tooth exhibited a slightly weaker but still positive correlation. This indicates that the maxillary right central incisor and maxillary right canine tooth are the most reliable for estimating age. Additionally, the study found that the linear regression results for estimating age based on the pulp-to-tooth area ratio, categorised by sex and each type of tooth, showed strong associations between age and the ratio for the maxillary left central incisor and maxillary left canine teeth in males, and for the maxillary left central incisor in females.