title: Age estimation by using dental radiographs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estimation of age is important in forensic sciences as a way to establish the identity of human remains. Of the various parts of the body used in age estimation, teeth are the least affected by the taphonomic process. Their durability means that they are sometimes the only body part available for study. Several methods of age estimation have been studied using bone and teeth, and among them, tooth wear and apposition of secondary dentine are the currently available non-destructive methods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to determine the age of adults by using Kvaal's method as well as to establish the relationship of chronological age and dental age with its reliability and limitations on digital panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was based on panoramic radiographs that consisted of two groups. One hundred orthopantomographs with Kvaal's criteria (Group A) and 50 orthopantomographs without Kvaal's criteria (Group B) were included. Various parameters were measured and the result was analyzed by means of SPSS-12.0 program statistical data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of Kvaal's criteria, the difference between chronological age and real age was 8.3 years. This suggests that the accuracy of this method depends on the precision of measurements and quality and number of the orthopantomographs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Piyush G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Limdiwala
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: Age estimation; Kvaal's method; orthopantomographs; panoramic radiographs; pulp/tooth area ratio; secondary dentine