Assessment of Pulp-Tooth Ratio Based on 3D Segmentation for Age Estimation for Forensic Purposes in a Senegalese Population

Introduction: The advent of 3D imaging has created a significant opportunity to enhance the accuracy of age estimation. By utilizing 3D segmentation, it is now possible to evaluate the three-dimensional pulp volume as an indicator of age. This study aimed to estimate the age of Senegalese individuals through 3D canine segmentation. Materials and methods: A total of 90 Cone Beam CT radiographs of Senegalese subjects, aged between 20 and 87 years, were analyzed. The methodology involved segmenting the hard tissues of the canine teeth, followed by the pulp tissues, and subsequently calculating the ratio (R) of pulp tissue volume to hard tissue volume to estimate the subjects' chronological age. Correlations between quantitative variables were assessed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05 for all tests conducted. Results: The findings indicated that the mean volumes of dental tissues were greater in men compared to women. There was no statistically significant relationship between age and hard tissue volume (p<0.126), with a correlation coefficient of r=0.351. However, the correlation between age and pulp tissue volume was statistically significant (p<0.018), with a correlation coefficient of r=-0.637. Additionally, the regression analysis between age and the ratio was statistically significant (p<0.001). The regression equation for age versus the ratio is provided below: Y = -2257.98216x + 116.3490967 (where Y represents age and x represents the ratio R). Conclusion: The 3D segmentation of canine tissues presents an innovative method for estimating age in adult Senegalese individuals.