# Three-Dimensional Pulp Volume Analysis in Lip and Palate Cleft Population
## 1 Introduction  
Once the eruption of permanent dentition is complete, dental age can be predicted by observing the different physiological age-related changes in dental tissues. One of these physiological changes is the deposition of secondary dentin, which is carried out by odontoblasts during a gradual and continuous process [1; 2; 3; 4]. As a result, there is a progressive narrowing of the pulp chamber that can be correlated to age and subsequently used as an indicator of chronological age [1; 5; 6; 7]. The measurement of secondary dentin deposition by dental radiographs is a simple, non-invasive and reproducible method that can be used, in both ante and post-mortem periods, to estimate the age of an individual [8]. In contrast, destructive methods involvingtooth section for microscopic analysis are deemed unacceptable for forensic purposes as they result in the loss of evidence [9]. [PERSON] et al. (1995) [7] developed a pioneering work using radiographic images and evaluating the deposition of secondary dentin to estimate age. However, limitations of this analysis include structure overlap and information suppression caused by the transformation of a three-dimensional (3D) structure into a two-dimensional (2D) image [10]. In recent years, technological advances in 3D imaging have allowed for the 3D evaluation of dental structures and the subsequent correlation of these with age using radiographic exams such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) [11]. There are several methods available to determine age, and they vary depending on the purpose, the type of sample and the accuracy required. Some of the most used methods are:  
1. Radiocarbon dating [12]: radiocarbon dating is a technique used to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the amount of carbon-14 present;
2. Dental analysis [13]: dental analysis is a method of determining age by examining the development and wear of teeth. The teeth develop in a predictable pattern, and the amount of wear on the teeth can give an indication of the person's age;
3. Bone analysis [14]: the bones of the body develop and fuse at different ages, and by examining the bones, the age of the individual can be estimated;
4. Radiographic analysis [15]: radiographic analysis is a technique used to examine the internal structure of the body. By examining X-rays or other imaging techniques, the age of the individual can be estimated based on the development of certain bones or the presence of certain features;
5. Hormone analysis [16]: Hormone levels change as a person ages, and by examining the levels of certain hormones, the age of the individual can be estimated. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on the accuracy required and the type of sample available. Age estimation plays a significant role in human identification in legal justice systems, law enforcement and criminal investigation cases such as homicides, suicides and massive humanitarian disasters [17; 18; 19]. The current global socio-political context demands a significant increase in access to age estimation methods in living individuals, in order to clarify criminal and civil liability as well as additional underlying social issues [20]. Some age estimation methods, as described before, include the macroscopic and radiographic analysis of the maturation and development phases of the bone and dental structures [17]. Teeth are known to be the most reliable age indicator as they are resistant to deterioration even under extreme conditions due to the presence of a superficial enamel layer. During the maturation phase, teeth are less affected by endocrine diseases, dietary deficiencies and environmental changes, ensuring complete mineralization and subsequent eruption. This same resilience is observed even during the postmortem period, when tissues are subjected to increased microbiological activity, mechanical forces and fluctuations in pH, humidity and temperature [17; 1, 19].