1JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), JSS Dental College and Hospital, SS Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka -570015
2Department of oral medicine and Radiology, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), JSS Dental College and Hospital, SS Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka -570015
3Department of Forensic Odontology, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), JSS Dental College and Hospital, SS Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka -570015
*Corresponding Author: Dr. Nagabhushana Doggalli, M.D.S, M.Sc (FOD), Reader, Department of oral medicine and Radiology, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (J S S AHER), JSS Dental College and Hospital, SS Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka -570015, Contact: +91 9844413396, Email: dr.nagabhushand@jssuni.edu.in
Objectives: 1) to estimate chronological age of the individuals using dentin translucency length, 2) To compare ages from two different methods, Direct visual on unsectioned tooth (Conventional) and Indirect (Digital-GIMP 2.8 version software) on sectioned tooth and further to analyse which method is reliable for age estimation.
Materials and Methods: Sample consists of 40 freshly extracted single rooted permanent teeth from 40 different individuals’ age ranging from 25 to 70 years irrespective of sex and those extracted teeth samples were kept in 10% neutral formalin to prevent dehydration. The length of the translucent zone i) on unsectioned teeth were viewed in X-ray viewer and the measurements were done by using divider and ruler. ii) Followed by, the same teeth samples were mounted separately using modelling wax and sectioned buccolingually using carborundum disc, further the thickness of250 pm (0.25 mm) ground sections were made by using Arkansas stone, the sectioned teeth were scanned and measured on GIMP software. Statistical analyses were done to derive Regression formula and which was applied on 10 test samples of the same age group.
Results: A strong positive correlation between age and length of the translucency of dentin was noted. Correlation coefficients of translucency measurements for age estimation was statistically significant for both the methods (P= 0.001) and moderately higher for the digital approach (R= 0.79). The length ofthe translucent zone correlated more with age in the digital method with the error of 3.4 years.
Conclusion: Translucency of the root dentin length increases with age, Accuracy of age estimation in test sample was shown better in Digital method with MAE = 3.46, when compared with Conventional MAE = 4.49, here the both methods were showing nearly 3-4 years error rate, though conventional method shows only 4.4 years which is also minimal error, almost one year difference when compared to digital (3.4 years) method, Hence one can also prefer for conventional method while considering for evidence preservation in future use, thus it can be used as a reliable parameter for the age estimation.
Dentin translucency, Age estimation from dentin length, Conventional method, Digital method, Ground section, GIMP software
