Age estimation in adults using intra oral periapical radiographs in Indian population using Kvaal's method

This study was undertaken to establish a precise technique for estimation of age in adults, both living and dead in forensic work and in archeological studies and to know the accuracy of the technique in age estimation The aim of the study was to estimate the chronological age of an adult from measurements of size of the pulp obtained from intra oral periapical radiographs. The study group comprised of 100 normal individuals ranging from 20 to 70 years divided into six age groups. Patients with the presence of maxillary central and lateral incisors and second premolars and mandibular lateral incisors, canines and first premolars, from either left or right side as in the original study were selected for the study. The paralleling cone technique was used to take intra oral periapical radiographs of these teeth. The measurements of the teeth on the radiographs were taken using vernier calipers and stereomicroscope and the results were statistically analyzed. In the results it was noted that Pearson's Correlation Coefficient of the width ratio's was more significantly correlated (P<0.001) with age than length ratio's (P<0.05). The standard error of estimation (S.E.E) in years of calculated age when compared to the chronological age for the three maxillary teeth was the lowest (10.2 years),followed by all six teeth(10.5 years).Among the single tooth maxillary central incisors had the least S.E.E.(11.5 years) and mandibular canines had maximum error of estimation (13.3years). Gender wise student t-test showed no significant differences in age between male and female subjects.