SECONDARY DENTIN AS A PARAMETER FOR AGE ESTIMATION- AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

In many mass disasters, age estimation is a widely used method for personnel identification. Several methods of age estimation have been studied including bone, which changes as an individual grows. A particular problem for age estimation is that premortem modification may vary from subject to subject and in addition, post-mortem changes and taphonomy are influenced by many factors. Of the various parts of the body used in age estimation, teeth are least affected by the taphonomic process. Previous studies have shown that with advancing age the size of the dental pulp cavity is reduced as a result of secondary dentin deposition, so that the measurement of this secondary dentin deposition can be used as an indicator of age Method: The study included 200 extracted teeth, 100 were single rooted teeth and 100 were multirooted teeth. Patient information’s like chronological age, sex and place of the tooth in dentition was noted down at the time of extraction of tooth. Teeth were then reduced grossly in the mesio-distal direction on a lathe machine with a constant supply of water. These sections were grounded manually on the rough surface of the Arkansas stone first and then on the finer surface with a constant supply of the water until the enamel rods and dentinal tubules were visible clearly under the microscope. Thicknesses of all the ground sections were between 0.4 to 0.8 mm which was measured by Vernier caliper. Results and conclusion: Secondary dentin deposition can be effectively used as an indicator of age. Statistical analysis showed that it is reliable method for age estimation.