title: Age estimation using development of third molars in South Indian population: A radiological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the estimation of chronological age based on the stages of third molar development following the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian et al. in Chennai population of South India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample consisting of 848 individuals (471 males and 377 females) aged between 14 and 30 years was randomly selected for the clinical evaluation and 323 orthopantomograms with clinically missing third molars were taken for radiological evaluation using Demirjian's method from a Chennai population of known chronological age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's Chi-square test and mean values were compared between the study groups using t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's highly significant difference (HSD). In the present study, P < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that the mean age of having clinically completely erupted maxillary third molars was 22.41 years in male subjects and 23.81 years in female subjects and that of mandibular third molars was 21.49 years in male subjects and 23.34 years in female subjects. Mandibular third molars were clinically missing more often in females than in males. Eruption of mandibular third molars was generally ahead of the emergence of maxillary third molars into the oral cavity. Third molar development between male and female subjects showed statistically significant differences at calcification stage F and stage G in maxillary third molars and stage F in mandibular third molars (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are differences indicating that maxillary and mandibular third molar eruption reached Demirjian's formation stages earlier in males than in females. It is suggested that in future studies, to increase the accuracy of age determination, indications of sexual maturity and ossification should also be evaluated in addition to third molar mineralization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vinayaka Missions Sankarachariyar Dental College and Hospital, Ariyanoor, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: K Indra
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Priyadharshini
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Melaka, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Jose Joy
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Idiculla
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sivapathasundaram
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Penang International Dental College, Veerapandi Post, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mohanbabu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Augustine
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shankargouda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patil
keywords: Age estimation; Demirjian methods; dental age estimation; forensic odontology; radiographic age; third molar