Third-molar development in relation to chronologic age in Turkish children and young adults.
OBJECTIVE
To assess estimation of chronologic age based on the stages of third-molar development following the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian et al and to compare third-molar development by sex and age with results of previous studies.


METHODS
The final sample consisted of 900 orthopantomograms from young Turkish subjects of known chronologic age (range, 8-25 years; mean age, 15.18 +/- 4.81 years) and sex (380 males with a mean age of 14.51 +/- 4.55; 520 females with a mean age of 15.67 +/- 4.94). Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Wilcoxon test between sex and age. Regression analysis was performed to obtain regression formulas for dental age calculation with the chronologic age


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences (P < .05) in third-molar development between males and females were revealed regarding the calcification stages D and G. Third-molar genesis was attained earlier in males than in females. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between age and third-molar development for males (r(2) = .65) and for females (r(2) = .61). New equations (Age = 8.92 + 1.50 Development stage) were derived for estimating chronologic age.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of third molars as a developmental marker is appropriate, especially when comparing the obtained standard deviation with other skeletal age calculation techniques.
Sisman
Yildiray
Y
Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Uysal
Tancan
T
Yagmur
Fatih
F
Ramoglu
Sabri Ilhan
SI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014421:Turkey