title: [Development of wisdom teeth as a criterion of age determination].
abstract: The study is based on the orthopantomographic evaluation of the formation and the development of the permanent third molar (n = 938 patients with known age between 15 and 25 years). We used a modified method according to Gleiser and Hunt (1955) with 3 stages of crown formation and 7 stages of root formation. The correlation between age and the formation of the third molar is not very close. There is a deviation of +/- 4 years (97% statistical safety). The root is completed at the age of about 23 years (upper jaw: 23 years in males and females, mandible: males 23.2 years, females 23.6 years). There is a slight sexual dimorphism with an accelerated development of the third molar in males. The dentition of the molars runs parallel on both sides of the jaw. Only a small proportion (14%) of all persons has completely formed roots at the age of 21. Retination of the third molars (produced by the second molar and by the ascending branch of the mandible) causes a delay of its development.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie (Nordwestdeutsche Kieferklinik) des Universitätskrankenhauses Hamburg-Eppendorf, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmelzle
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loitz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
vernacular_title: Die Entwicklung des Weisheitszahnes als Kriterium der Lebensaltersbestimmung.