2D vs. 3D Radiological Methods for Dental Age Determination around 18 Years: A Systematic Review

The age of a living human being can be determined by applying a number of dierent
methods; the most diused are skeletal and dental methods, both principally based on X-rays
examinations. This systematic review assesses the current evidence regarding the accuracy and
reliability of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) vs. Orthopantomography (OPG) in age
determination. A computerized systematic literature search of studies published up to January 2020
was conducted without language restrictions in order to identify articles comparing CBCT vs. OPG
in dental anatomy evaluation, articles evaluating the accuracy of dental methods for age estimation,
both with CT andOPG exams, and articles comparing CBCT vs. OPG in terms of radiation dose. CBCT
was found to be more accurate compared to OPG in dental anatomy evaluation. When analyzing
young adults, an estimation error of two years is considered forensically acceptable. The radiation
dose of a CBCT exam is higher compared to an OPG exam. However, the dierence is not as marked
with small Fields Of View (FOV) and low-resolution protocols. Final conclusion was that a small
FOV CBCT centered on the mandibular angle of a young patient is an accurate and safe method for
dental age estimation around the age of 18.