The application of the Kvaal method to estimate the age of live Korean subjects using digital panoramic radiographs

Abstract

Dental age estimation of the living is limited because observing the histological structure of teeth is difficult. Therefore, several methods have been proposed to estimate age by observing changes on dental radiographs of pulpal size caused by secondary dentin deposition. This study aims to evaluate the validity of the Kvaal method to estimate the ages of Korean subjects using digital panoramic radiographs and formulate regression equations for use in Korean subjects. We included 266 Korean subjects (age 21-69 years) visiting Chosun University Dental Hospital (Gwangju, South Korea). The pulpal size and width of six tooth types (maxillary central incisor, lateral incisor, second premolar, mandibular lateral incisor, canine, and first premolar) were measured on digital panoramic radiographs according to the Kvaal method. Statistical interobserver/intraobserver reliabilities were calculated to evaluate the reproducibility of the measured values, and correlations between actual ages and measured values were identified. The differences between the predicted ages and the actual age were analyzed. Paewinsky method was also applied and its validity was evaluated. In addition, a series of new regression equations for the age estimation of Korean subjects was produced. When both methods were applied directly to the teeth of the subjects, significant differences were observed between the estimated and chronological ages. The length-related parameters of the teeth of subjects calculated by the original Kvaal method showed no significant correlation. A regression equation derived from the width parameters without the length ratios is proposed for use in Korean subjects.

Can canines alone be used for age estimation in Chinese individuals when applying the Kvaal method?

“…Various methods based on physiological changes in teeth have been proposed for age estimation [7][8][9][10][11]. Mineralization of third molars was once used to determine whether a person is over 18 years of age, but third molars have been found to exhibit the greatest variations in crown-root mineralization timing, which not only varies among different ethnic groups, but also in different sexes and jaws.…”

“…In 1995, Kvaal et al [21] reported a method for age estimation based only on secondary dentin formation. This method was then tested by many other researchers and has proven to be quite accurate in different populations [9,[22][23][24][25][26]. Thus, compared to other regressive dental changes, secondary dentin formation seems more strongly correlated with chronological age since it is a continual and regular process throughout life.…”

Age Estimation with Panoramic Radiomorphometric Parameters Using Generalized Linear Models

“…Thus, PR has been used successfully in several studies to estimate age. In those studies, linear regression models were obtained using several tooth parameters as input variables [28][29][30]. Interestingly, the present study was the first to use PR to comprehensively investigate the age-related trends in multiple biometric features of the maxilla and mandible, including teeth and the vital structures of the mandible.…”

Konik Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi ile Yaş Tayininde Diş Seçimi: Diş Kadranları Simetrik mi?

“…Sağ ve sol kadranlar arasında anlamlı farklılık bulamadıklarından dolayı herhangi bir kadrandaki dişlerin değerlendirmede kullanılabileceğini de belirtmişlerdir (8). Yapılan literatür taraması sonucunda; Kvaal yöntemi veya modifikasyonları kullanılarak gerek iki boyutlu, gerekse 3D görüntüleme yöntemleri ile gerçekleştirilen radyolojik yaş tayini çalışmalarında sağ ve sol kadranlardaki dişler arasında yaş tayini açısından farklılık olup olmadığının araştırılmadığı görülmektedir (17,19,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34).…”