title: Reliability of Third Molar Development for Age Estimation by Radiographic Examination (Demirjian's Method).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental age estimation methods are of particular value because teeth are highly resistant to mechanical, chemical, or physical impacts and time. Teeth are the strongest parts in the human body and are therefore very resistant to external influences, such as extreme temperatures, explosions, and other extreme conditions, which make them available for extensive postmortem periods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To correlate chronological age with dental age using Demirijian's method.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on 100 digital orthopantamograms (OPG) of patients in the age group of 7 to 24 years. During the analysis, Magnify' and Ruler' tools were used. Mandibular right third molar was used for entire study. Data collected was analysed by using SPSS software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Development of third molar in all stages was found slightly earlier in males than in females, when chronological age was compared with dental age using Demirjian method. 88% subject showed statistically significant linear correlation between chronological age and developmental age using Demirjian's method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The linear correlation between chronological age and dental age using to Demirjian's method was more in age group above 16 years and less in age group below 16 years. Demirijian's method is a reliable guide for age estimation in age group of 7 to 24 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, VSPM's Dental College & Research Centre , Nagpur, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Sushil B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, VSPM's Dental College & Research Centre , Nagpur, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Swapnil N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Nair Hospital and Dental College Mumbai, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Seema D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Kamble
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, VSPM's Dental College & Research Centre , Nagpur, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Tushar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mowade
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, VSPM's Dental College & Research Centre , Nagpur, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Pavan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Motghare
keywords: Chronological age; Dental age; Forensic dentistry