title: Radiologic assessment of third molar tooth and spheno-occipital synchondrosis for age estimation: a multiple regression analysis study.
abstract: For forensic age estimation, radiographic assessment of third molar mineralization is important between 14 and 21 years which coincides with the legal age in most countries. The spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is an important growth site during development, and its use for age estimation is beneficial when combined with other markers. In this study, we aimed to develop a regression model to estimate and narrow the age range based on the radiologic assessment of third molar and SOS in a Turkish subpopulation. Panoramic radiographs and cone beam CT scans of 349 subjects (182 males, 167 females) with age between 8 and 25 were evaluated. Four-stage system was used to evaluate the fusion degree of SOS, and Demirjian's eight stages of development for calcification for third molars. The Pearson correlation indicated a strong positive relationship between age and third molar calcification for both sexes (r = 0.850 for females, r = 0.839 for males, P < 0.001) and also between age and SOS fusion for females (r = 0.814), but a moderate relationship was found for males (r = 0.599), P < 0.001). Based on the results obtained, an age determination formula using these scores was established.
authors.affiliation: , Samsun, Turkey. husniyedemirturk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Husniye
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demirturk Kocasarac
authors.affiliation: , Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinanoglu
authors.affiliation: , San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noujeim
authors.affiliation: , Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Helvacioglu Yigit
authors.affiliation: , Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baydemir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010012:Osteogenesis; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013100:Sphenoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014074:Tooth Calcification; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; Forensic age estimation; Multiple regression analysis; Spheno-occipital synchondrosis; Third molar tooth