Age Estimation with Cemental Incremental Lines in Normal And Periodontally Diseased Teeth Using Phase Contrast Microscope

Authors

  • Ameena Sultana
  • Heena Zainab
  • Pramod Jahagirdar
  • Deepa Hugar
  • Shaimaa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17454

Keywords:

Age estimation, cementum, forensic odontology, microscope

Abstract

Background: Forensic age estimation defines an expertise in forensic medicine, which aims
to define in the most accurate way to determine the unknown chronological age of the person
involved in judicial or legal proceedings. Dental cementum is a vital tissue which demonstrates
continuous apposition throughout the life of the tooth. Literature studies have revealed that tooth
cemental annulations(TCA) would serve as a reliable tool in establishing the age of an individual.
The use of specialized microscopic methods are been employed to enhance the assessment of
the cemental annulations. The study aims at assessment and evaluation of cemental annulations
in normal and periodontally diseased extracted teeth using phase contrast microscopic method.
Methodology: A total of 60 teeth were included in the study and out of which thirty teeth were normal
and 30 were periodontally involved teeth respectively. Longitudinal ground sections were prepared using
micromotor and diamond disc. Sections were mounted and observed under phase contrast microscope.
Measurements were made using an image analyzer software. The total width of cementum was divided
by the distance between two incremental lines. The eruption age of the tooth was then added to this to
obtain the chronologic age for each individual. The results of the study showed no significant deviation
of estimated age from the actual age in both periodontally sound and periodontally diseased teeth.
Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of phase-contrast microscopy in conjunction with image
enhancement procedures improves the accuracy of age estimation and may serve as a reliable aid in
forensic identification.

Author Biographies

  • Ameena Sultana

    Senior Lecturer, Al Badar Dental College and Hospital, Kalaburagi

  • Heena Zainab

    Professor, Al Badar Dental College and Hospital, Kalaburagi

  • Pramod Jahagirdar

    Professor, RR Dental College and Hospital, Udaipur

  • Deepa Hugar

    Professor, Al Badar DentalCollege and Hospital, Kalaburagi

  • Shaimaa

    CEO, Integro Hospital, Hyderabad

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Published

2021-11-30

How to Cite

Age Estimation with Cemental Incremental Lines in Normal And Periodontally Diseased Teeth Using Phase Contrast Microscope. (2021). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 16(1), 213-223. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17454