Evaluation of chronological age based on third molar development in the Spanish population.
A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess chronological age estimation based on the stages of third lower molar development, following the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian et al. The final sample consisted of 1,054 orthopantomograms from Spanish individuals of known chronological age (range 14-21 years) and gender (462 males and 592 females). Results showed a stronger correlation for males (r(2)=0.54) than for females (r(2)=0.45). Root formation occurred earlier in males than females, in stages 5, 6 and 7. The mean difference between chronological and estimated age was -0.10 years (+/-1.23 SD) for left third molar, and -0.07 years (+/-1.22 SD) for right third molar, with slight variations regarding sex. Comparative tables are provided regarding medicolegal questions concerning age 18 prediction in the Spanish population, showing that legal age is reached in stage 7 (G) by women and in stage 8 (H) by men. No differences have been observed between sides (p<0.0001). Differences were observed between Spaniards and other previously studied populations. Third molar maturity takes place earlier in the Spanish than French-Canadian, Scandinavian, American, German, Japanese and South African populations and is more similar to US Hispanics in root development.
Prieto
José L
JL
Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology and Odontology, Instituto Anatómico Forense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. prietoaf@med.ucm.es
Barbería
Elena
E
Ortega
Ricardo
R
Magaña
Concepción
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000254:growth & development*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013030:Spain; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000254:growth & development
J Forensic Sci. 1993 Mar;38(2):379-90
8454998
Am J Phys Anthropol. 1955 Sep;13(3):479-87
13275581
J Forensic Sci. 2002 May;47(3):531-5
12051331
Int J Legal Med. 2004 Feb;118(1):5-8
14534796
Malays J Pathol. 1996 Jun;18(1):1-7
10879216
J Orofac Orthop. 2000;61(5):318-29
11037684
Int J Legal Med. 2004 Jun;118(3):170-3
14767777
Homo. 2003;54(2):162-9
14740366
Hum Biol. 1973 May;45(2):211-27
4714564
Swed Dent J. 1992;16(4):161-7
1455327
J Forensic Sci. 1987 Sep;32(5):1254-63
3312468
Acta Odontol Scand. 1995 Jun;53(3):179-85
7572094
J Dent Res. 1981 Oct;60(10):1735-41
6944337
Forensic Sci Int. 2003 May 5;133(3):212-9
12787654
Am J Phys Anthropol. 1963 Jun;21:205-13
14110696
Swed Dent J. 1991;15(1):15-22
2035147
J Forensic Odontostomatol. 1996 Dec;14 (2):30-3
9227080
Int J Legal Med. 2005 Jan;119(1):22-6
15538611