Chronological age estimation based on third molar development in a Portuguese population.
Third molar development was assessed using a sample of 1,131 orthopantomograms from a Portuguese population. The methodology applied was the eight stages (A-H) method described by Demirjian et al. The final sample was made of 739 orthopantomograms, 387 (52.5%) of which belonging to females; age ranged between 6.1 and 22.5 years old (mean age = 14.49, S.D. = 4.37). For each developmental stage, mean age, standard deviation, and minimal and maximal age was assessed; evaluation of the rate formation of each tooth, according to sex, was calculated and data distribution expressed in percentiles for each stage; the probability of an individual being 16 was also evaluated. The relationship between tooth development and chronological age had a statistical significance for all teeth and both sexes (p < 0.0001). The data described may provide reference for forensic application and agree with the thesis that each population need specific data.
Dental Medicine Faculty of Porto University, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-393, Porto, Portugal. icaldas@fmd.up.pt
Inês Morais
IM
Caldas
Paula
P
Júlio
Ricardo Jorge
RJ
Simões
Eduarda
E
Matos
Américo
A
Afonso
Teresa
T
Magalhães
D000293:Adolescent; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D015588:Observer Variation; D011174:Portugal; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult