title: Accuracy in the legal age estimation according to the third molars mineralization among Mexicans and Columbians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to assess the accuracy of age estimation according to two cut-off points of Demirjian's developmental stages (G and H) in the wisdom teeth, using panoramic radiographs from Colombian and Mexican teenagers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The degree of maturation of the third molars was classified according to Demirjian in 8 stages (from A to H) by a blinded trained assessor. The sensitivity, specificity and efficacy of two cut-off points (G and H) were calculated for both samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The orthopantomographies of 316 subjects, 171 Colombians (54.1%) and 145 Mexicans (45.9%), were analyzed. The stage H was found to be the best threshold for detecting juveniles (because the high specificity) in all the third molars assessed. The specificity was higher for lower third molars than for upper third molars, but no asymmetrical discrepancy was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The stage H is the best cut-off point for detecting the adulthood when a high-specificity test is required.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Escola Superior de Saúde, Viseu, Portugal. Electronic address: jsc.costa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Sarai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albaladejo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-Valverde
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Escola Superior de Saúde, Viseu, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bica
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia; D000068598:Data Accuracy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Accuracy; Age estimation; Forensic odontology; Forensic science; Third molar development