title: Dental Age Estimation: Pattern Recognition of Root Canal Widths of Mandibular Molars. A Novel Mandibular Maturity Marker at the 18-Year Threshold.
abstract: The final stage of third molar development is used to assign a subject to above the 18-year threshold. Some subjects exhibiting this final stage are less than 18 years. Radiographs from 1000 females and 1000 males age 16.00-25.99 years were examined. Each half-year age band comprised 50 females and 50 males. Three categories of root canal widths (RCW) of the LL6, LL7, and LL8 [FDI 36, 37, and 38] were defined. Reproducibility was achieved by re-assessing the same subjects 12 months apart. For females, the minimum value for RCW-A was 16.33 years, RCW-B 17.23 years, and RCW-C 18.45 years. For males, the minimum values were RCW-A 17.16 years, RCW-B 18.29 years, and RCW-C 18.16 years. The presence of RCW-C in a female, and the presence of RCW-B or RCW-C in a male is compelling evidence that the subject is above the 18-year threshold.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: Graham J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: Victoria S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics and Research Methods Centre, Division of Patient and Population Health, King's College London, Denmark Hill Campus, London, SE5 9RW, UK.
authors.forename: Manoharan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andiappan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, King's College London Dental Institute, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
authors.forename: Fraser
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 18-year threshold; dental age estimation; forensic science; root canal widths