Journal Published Online: 05 May 2004
Volume 49, Issue 4

Age Calculation Using X-ray Microfocus Computed Tomographical Scanning of Teeth: A Pilot Study

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

To correlate dental age with an individual's chronological age based on the calculated volume ratio of pulp versus tooth volume measured, an X-ray microfocus computed tomography unit (μCT) with 25μm spatial resolution was used to non-destructively scan 43 extracted single root teeth of 25 individuals with well-known chronological age. Custom-made analysis software was used by two examiners to obtain numerical values for pulpal and tooth volume. The ratio of both was calculated and statistically processed. No significant intra-orinter-examiner differences were found. In fact,a very strong concordance correlation coefficient was found. Linear regression analysis showed a coefficient of determination (r) of 0.31 which suggests that there is a rather weak correlation between the volume ratio of pulp versus tooth and biological age. Although rather time consuming, this technique shows promising results for dental age estimation in a non-destructive manner using X-ray microfocus computed tomography.

Author Information

Vandevoort, FM
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Bergmans, L
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Cleynenbreugel, JV
Medicine and Engineering Medical Imaging Computing (Radiology-ESAT/PSI), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Bielen, DJ
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Lambrechts, P
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Wevers, M
Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Peirs, A
University Statistics Centre, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Willems, G
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2004069
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004069