Evaluation of volumetric changes of teeth in a Brazilian population by using cone beam computed tomography

• Significant differences were found among age groups in pulp cavity volume.
• Significant differences were found among age groups in pulp cavity/tooth volume.
• Pulp cavity volume decreased gradually with age until 60 years.
• Percentage of pulp cavity/tooth volume decreased gradually with age until 60 years.

The purpose of this study was to test the usefulness of some morphometric parameters of the teeth in 5 different age groups through images of Cone Beam CT. 118 upper central incisors clinically acquired of 60 women and 58 men aged between 22 and 70 years were selected. The hard tissue volume and the pulp cavity volume of each tooth was obtained and computed by the software DentalSlice® and the measures were assessed (pulp cavity volume, hard tissue volume, tooth volume and pulp cavity/tooth volume ratio). The pulp cavity volume and the pulp cavity/tooth volume ratio showed significant differences between age groups (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a coefficient of determination of 0.21 which suggests that there is a weak correlation between the pulp cavity/tooth volume ratio and age.