Aplicabilidade de medidas tomográficas lineares da câmara pulpar para estimativa de idade de uma subpopulação de adultos jovens brasileiros

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the applicability of pulp chamber measurements for age estimation, through the correlation between the chronological age of young adults in the Zona da Mata Mineira region (Minas Gerais, Brazil) and linear tomographic measurements of the pulp chamber. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 345 anterior teeth belonging to individuals of both sexes, with ages between 18 and 22 years old, were evaluated. The evaluation of the size of the pulp chamber was performed by measuring the height and thickness of the evaluated tooth and also of its pulp chamber space. After taking these measurements, the height ratio (pulp chamber height/dental crown height) and the thickness ratio (pulp chamber thickness/dental crown thickness) were calculated for each evaluated tooth. To compare height and thickness ratios between sides and between genders, the t test was applied. To verify the correlation between chronological age and measurements taken in the pulp chamber, Pearson's correlation coefficient was applied. Neither significant difference was observed between the right and left sides nor between genders. Three parameters showed a significant correlation with age: the ratio of the height of the upper and lower canines and the ratio of the thickness of the lower central incisor, with increasing age showing a reduction in the dimensions of the pulp chamber. It can be concluded that linear measurements of the pulp chamber of the maxillary canines, mandibular canines and mandibular central incisors, done on CBCT images, can be an useful and simple method for estimating the age of the studied population. Further studies, with more representative samples and that shows the method's accuracy results, are necessary to ensure the real indication of these measures.