Validation of age estimation methods using pulpal volume changes in radiographs for Korean adults

Abstract

Objectives: It aims to verify the applicability of existing age estimation methods derived from data of foreign population groups to Korean population groups. Moreover it is to suggest a new way applicable to practical age estimation on the basis of newly calculated regression formulae from data of Korean population groups and develop a subsidiarily applicable method to the existing method.Subjects and Methods: Ratio of pulp cavity to dental crown was calculated by measuring the height and width of dental crowns and pulp cavities at the cervical line from 4,034 first and second upper molars, first and second upper premolars, first and second lower molars and first and second lower premolars on both left and right sides of 400 patients who had been treated in Yonsei University Dental Hospital, and regression equations were derived from the values of the ratio.Conclusions: The error range of age estimation was found to be slightly wider when the existing regression formulae of Drusini were applied to Korean population groups. Also age estimation in females using the ratio of pulp cavity to dental crown measured with the length and width of dental crowns and pulp cavities from maxillomandibular molars was observed to have the highest reliability in the research. However, we consider that advanced equations of regression are needed to apply to both molars and premolars of males and females in the future.