Comparison of chronological age with dental age based on pulp volume to enamel in the impacted mandibular third molars measured on Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT)images of patients referred to Oral and Maxillofacial radiology department of Tabriz Dental Faculty

Abstract

Introduction: In adults, with increasing age, the volume of the pulp chamber decreases due to secondary dentin deposition. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between chronologic age and the ratio of pulp volume (PV) to enamel volume (EV) in mandibular impacted third molar teeth using CBCT images and a reconstructed 3D image. Material and methods: In this descriptive _ analytical research, 26 people (14women and 12 men) with scope the age of 20-64 years were include in the study. In total, the ratio of pulp volume to enamel volume was obtained in 52 teeth using mimics software. To review relationships between people's age and the ratio of pulp volume to enamel volume from the test Pearson's correlation coefficient (regression analysis) was used. Result: In all examined teeth, between chronological age and pulp volume ratio there was a significant correlation with pulp/enamel volume and this correlation in both male and female groups were observed. Pearson's correlation coefficient between chronological age and pulp-to-enamel volume ratio on the left side of women was -0/899 ((r=0.899, p-value<0.001) and men -0.97 ((r=0.97, p-value<0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficient between chronological age and pulp-to-enamel volume ratio on the right side of women was -0/905 (r=0.905 p-value<0.001) and men -0/97 (r=0.97 p-value<0.001). Conclusion: In general, the findings of this study show that the impacted third molar of the lower jaw can be used to estimate age in forensic medicine.