Age Estimation for Dental Patients Using Orthopantomographs

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct age estimates for dental patients using orthopantomographs (OPGs). The OPGs were selected by an independent author with respect to criteria and evaluated by two independent dentists. The results were compared to chronologic ages. The reliability of the estimates, concurrently made by the two independent dentists using OPGs, was also evaluated.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the OPGs of 238 Turkish individuals of known chronological age, ranging from 1 to 60 years, were measured. Patients were then classified. Radiographs were evaluated by two independent dentists and age estimation was achieved according to the decades.

Results: The truest age estimates made by the dentists were in the 1-10 years age range (89.6%), the most inaccurate age estimates were in the 41-50 years age range (41.7%). Results indicate that the accuracy of age estimation diminishes with age.

Conclusions: Despite the variations related to the practitioners, in this study, there were no significant differences in age estimations between the two participant practitioners. Age estimation through evaluating OPGs was the most accurate in the first decade and the least in fourth decade. It can be concluded that OPGs are not adequate for accurate age estimation. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:389-394)

Keywords

Age estimation - Forensic dentistry - Orthopantomographs

• REFERENCES

• 1 Schmeling A, Geserick G, Reisinger W, Olze A. Age estimation. Forensic Sci Int 2007; 165: 178-181
• 2 Willems G. A review of the most commonly used dental age estimation techniques. J Forensic Odontostomatol 2001; 19: 9-17
• 3 Hillson S. Dental Anthropology. Cambridge University Press; Cambridge: 1996
• 4 Pelsmaekers B, Loos R, Carels C, Derom C, Vlietinck R. The genetic contribution to dental maturation. J Dent Res 1997; 76: 1337-1340
• 5 Mörnstad H, Staaf V, Welander U. Age estimation with aid of tooth development a new method based on objective measurements. Scand J Dent Res 1994; 102: 137-143
• 6 Gustafson G. Age determination on teeth. J Am Dent Assoc 1950; 41: 45-54
• 7 Koshy S, Tandon S. Dental age assessment: the applicability of Demirjian’s method in South Indian children. Forensic Sci Int 1998; 94: 73-85
• 8 Prapanpoch S, Dove SB, Cottone JA. Morphometric analysis of the dental pulp chamber as a method of age determination in humans. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1992; 13: 50-55
• 9 Noble HW. The age estimation of age from the dentition. J Forensic Sci Soc 1974; 14: 215-221
• 10 Pindborg JJ. Pathology of the dental hard tissues. Copenhagen: Munksgaard; 1970: 294-325
• 11 Kvaal SI, Kolveitt KM, Thomsen IO, Solheim T. Age estimations of adults from dental radiographs. Forensic Science Int 1995; 74: 175-185
• 12 Paewinsky E, Pfeiffer H, Brinkmann B. Quantification of secondary dentine formation from orthopantomograms--a contribution to forensic age estimation methods in adults. Int J Legal Med 2005; 119: 27-30
• 13 Johansan G. Age determination from teeth. Odontol Revy 1971; 22: 1-126
• 14 Bosmans N, Ann P, Aly M, Willems G. The application of Kvaal's dental age calculation technique on panoramic dental radiographs. Forensic Sci Int 2005; 29: 208-212
• 15 Maber M, Liversidge HM, Hector MP. Accuracy of age estimation of radiographic methods using developing teeth. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 159S: 68-73
• 16 Du AChesne, Benthaus S, Teige K, Brinkmann B. Postmortem orthopantomography-an aid in screening for identification purposes. Int J Legal Med 2000; 113: 63-69
• 17 Tunc ES, Koyuturk AE. Dental age assessment using Demirjian's method on northern Turkish children. Forensic Sci Int 2008; 175: 23-26
• 18 Kvaal SI, Kolltveit KM, Thomsen IO, Solheim T. Age estimation of adults from dental radiographs. Forensic Sci Int 1995; 74: 175-85
• 19 Kim YK, Kho HS, Lee KH. Age estimation by occlusal tooth wear. J Forensic Sci 2000; 45: 303-309
• 20 Solheim T. Amount of secondary dentin as an indicator of age. Scand J Dent Res 1992; 100: 193-199