Digitized morphometric analysis of dental pulp of permanent mandibular second molar for age estimation of Davangere population

•Teeth can serve as biomarker for age estimation.•Permanent mandibular 2nd molar can be taken as an index tooth for age estimation.•Age estimation is necessary to establish an identity of an individual.•Significant pulp to tooth area ratio difference exists between the genders.•Age estimation using software programme (AUTOCAD) will give fruitful results.

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study is to estimate the age of Davangere population by evaluating the pulp to tooth area ratio (PTR) by using digitized intraoral periapical radiographs of permanent mandibular second molar.Methods400 intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPA) of permanent mandibular 2nd molar of both the sexes aged 14–60 years were used. Digital camera was used to image the radiographs. Images were computed and PTR was calculated by AUTOCAD software. Intra and Inter observer variability was also assessed. Regression analysis was used to estimate the age of an individual by taking PTR as dependent variable.ResultsThe mean PTR of males and females was 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.09 ± 0.02 respectively. Negative correlation was observed, when age was compared with PTR {r = −0.441, −0.406 & −0.419 among males, females and total subjects (p < 0.001)}. Regression analysis showed a Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) of 12 years. The Kappa coefficient value for the intra and inter examiner variability was 0.85 & 0.83 respectively.ConclusionOur results showed that permanent mandibular 2nd molar can be taken as an index tooth for estimating the age of the adults using digitized periapical radiograph and AUTOCAD software. Also high differences were observed between estimated and chronological age of 12 years which is not in the acceptable range. But it provides a new window for research in the forensic sciences in estimating the adult age.