Three-Dimensional Analysis of Maxillary Sinus for Age Estimation in Forensic Human Identification

Aim: To assess the validity of the maxillary sinus in age estimation using CBCT.‎Materials and Methods: This study analyzed 230 cone beam computed tomography ‎‎(CBCT) scans of patients over the age of 18. The patients’ records for CBCT were ‎obtained from the archives of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at ‎Ain Shams University’s Faculty of Dentistry. The patients were categorized into two ‎age groups: Group A, consisting of individuals under 40 years old, and Group B, ‎comprising those over 40 years old. Linear measurements of the maxillary sinus were ‎taken, along with assessments of the three-dimensional volume.‎Results: The results in this study revealed there was a Weak Negative correlation of age ‎with volume, height, width, and depth. Also the older age group exhibited a statistically ‎significant reduction in mean height, width, depth, and volume compared to the younger ‎age group. Furthermore, the volume had the largest correlation with age. ‎Conclusion: The application of the maxillary sinus for age estimation has limited ‎accuracy; however, the volume of the maxillary sinus serves as the most reliable ‎indicator for age estimation in human identification.‎