title: The reliability of chronological age determination by means of mandibular third molar development in subjects in Croatia.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the development of the mandibular third molar and its relation to chronological age. The evaluated material consisted of 979 orthopantomograms of patients of Croatian Caucasian origin aged between 5.7 and 14.6 years. Third molar developmental stages were evaluated according to the stages proposed by Nolla. The frequencies of different stages of mineralization and the mean value of the mineralization of the mandibular third molars with regard to age, gender, and size of the mandible were determined and the coefficient of correlation determined between the age of the subject and the stage of development of the mandibular molars. Statistically significant correlation was determined between mineralization of the mandibular third molar and chronological age of the subjects (boys, mandibular left third molar r = 0.779, right third molar r = 0.793; girls, mandibular left third molar r = 0.746, right third molar r = 0.725). It can be concluded that the accuracy of age estimation based on Nolla's method is applicable for Croatian children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Legović
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sasso
authors.forename: Izak
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Legović
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brumini
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cabov
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Slaj
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vancura
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lapter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017523:Croatia; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000254:growth & development*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014074:Tooth Calcification