Accuracy of cone beam computed tomography versus root dentin translucency for dental age estimation among Egyptian adults

Abstract Background Identification of deceased or living individual is very crucial in forensic sciences, particularly in the case of unknown persons affected by war or natural disasters as well as to criminals, undocumented immigrants, and accident victims. Aim This study was carried out to assess and compare the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography versus root dentin translucency (RDT) for dental age estimation among Egyptian adults. Patients and methods One hundred and forty-four intact, noncarious and single-rooted extracted teeth were evenly distributed according to sex and different age groups. Each group contained 36 extracted teeth (12 incisors, 12 canines, and 12 premolars). The ages of the patients ranged from 30 to 69 years old. All the examined teeth were imaged by cone beam computed tomography then sectioned for dentin translucency measurements. Results For total participants, RDT length and area method is more accurate than cone beam, RDT length, and RDT area for dental age estimation in adults. Regarding sex, RDT length and area method is the most accurate age predictor than cone beam, RDT length, and RDT area among males and total female participants. Concerning tooth type, RDT length and area method is a more precise age estimation method for canines with equal accuracy of all methods for incisors and premolars. Conclusion For all participants, totally, in the age groups of 40 to less than 50, 50 to less than 60, and 60–69, the mean differences between chronological ages and dental ages estimated by RDT length and area were significantly lower than the corresponding values of the mean differences between chronological ages and dental ages assessed by cone beam, RDT length, and RDT area.