A comparative study on determination of pulp/tooth area ratio using MIMICS® and ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS® for estimation of age by cameriere’s method

Aim: To assess and compare the efficacy of materialise Interactive Medical Image Control System (MIMICS®) software with ADOBE® in determining pulp to tooth area ratio and age estimation on maxillary canines. Materials and methods: Intraoral periapical radiographs (IOPA’s) of maxillary canines were taken using the paralleling technique. Radiographs were digitized using Flatbed scanner. digitized images were exported into ADOBE® and materialise MIMICS software. Their tooth and pulpal area was calculated and age was determined. Results: The regression equation derived from ADOBE®: age = 72 + (–282.206 x pulp to tooth area ratio from ADOBE®). The regression equation derived from MIMICS®: age = 77.13 + (–324.583 x pulp to tooth area ratio from MIMICS®. Correlation coefficient of estimated age versus the actual age with ADOBE® ‘r’ value of –0.595. The correlation coefficient of estimated age versus the actual age with MIMICS® r-value of –0.649. Conclusion: This study showcases the use and limitations of new software MIMICS® in measuring the tooth to the pulp area ratio. Although IOPAs failed to produce three-dimensional volumetric analysis, the applicability of this software in other areas like maxillofacial trauma management and implant planning were revealed, further opening scope for newer research Clinical significance: Materialise MIMICS® software has various applications in dentistry. It can create a 3D surface model and give volumetric measurements, from scanned images, hence can be applied in Implantology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.