Age calculation using X-ray microfocus computed tomographical scanning of teeth: a pilot study.
To correlate dental age with an individual's chronological age based on the calculated volume ratio of pulp versus tooth volume measured, an X-ray microfocus computed tomography unit (microCT) with 25 microm spatial resolution was used to non-destructively scan 43 extracted single root teeth of 25 individuals with well-known chronological age. Custom-made analysis software was used by two examiners to obtain numerical values for pulpal and tooth volume. The ratio of both was calculated and statistically processed. No significant intra- or inter-examiner differences were found. In fact, a very strong concordance correlation coefficient was found. Linear regression analysis showed a coefficient of determination (r) of 0.31 which suggests that there is a rather weak correlation between the volume ratio of pulp versus tooth and biological age. Although rather time consuming, this technique shows promising results for dental age estimation in a non-destructive manner using X-ray microfocus computed tomography.
Vandevoort
Frieda M
FM
Forensic odontology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Bergmans
Lars
L
Van Cleynenbreugel
Johan
J
Bielen
Didier J
DJ
Lambrechts
Paul
P
Wevers
Martine
M
Peirs
Ann
A
Willems
Guy
G
D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009811:Odontometry; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014070:Tooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*