title: Third molar development: evaluation of nine tooth development registration techniques for age estimations.
abstract: Multiple third molar development registration techniques exist. Therefore the aim of this study was to detect which third molar development registration technique was most promising to use as a tool for subadult age estimation. On a collection of 1199 panoramic radiographs the development of all present third molars was registered following nine different registration techniques [Gleiser, Hunt (GH); Haavikko (HV); Demirjian (DM); Raungpaka (RA); Gustafson, Koch (GK); Harris, Nortje (HN); Kullman (KU); Moorrees (MO); Cameriere (CA)]. Regression models with age as response and the third molar registration as predictor were developed for each registration technique separately. The MO technique disclosed highest R(2) (F 51%, M 45%) and lowest root mean squared error (F 3.42 years; M 3.67 years) values, but differences with other techniques were small in magnitude. The amount of stages utilized in the explored staging techniques slightly influenced the age predictions.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, School of Dentistry, Forensic Odontology Department, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.
authors: Patrick W
authors: PW
authors: Thevissen
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Fieuws
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Willems
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: age determination by teeth; forensic odontology; third molars; tooth development registration techniques