Chronological age estimation by radiological measurements on digital panoramic image among Iraqi sample : forensic odontological study

الملخص EN

Background : age estimation has become increasingly important in forensic sciences, from the earliest times of human history teeth were considered to be an indicator of age.

The aim of the study is to estimate the chronological age for Iraqi sample by the application of Kvaal’s technique on digital panoramic image and Comparing between the real age and the estimated age.

Materials and methods: One hundred digital panoramic images were collected at random from patients of whom the age ranged from 20 to 59 years.

According to the reported technique, six teeth were selected on the digital panoramic images: in maxilla the central and lateral incisor and second bicuspid, and in mandible the lateral incisor, cuspid and first bicuspid.

The same exclusion criteria as in the original paper were respected.

Statistical analysis was carried out in order to spot significant differences between the chronological age and the calculated age.

Results : when the age was calculated based on measurements of all six teeth or of all three mandibular teeth, no significant differences were found between the real age and the calculated one.

In all other instances using the individual teeth separately or using all three maxillary teeth statistical analysis revealed significant differences.

Also the most nearest tooth from age estimation point of view is the maxillary central incisor and the distant tooth is the mandibular canine and the nearest age group from age estimation point of view was happened in thirtieth mgroup While the farthest results between the real age and the estimated age was happened in fiftieth group.

Conclusion : no significant difference between the real age and the estimated age based on the digital panoramic image, the most promising results obtained when we using in this method the six teeth all together or at least the three mandibular teeth or the maxillary central incisor alone.