The Explore of Third Molar for Chronological Age Estimation in Teenagers of Shanghai Han Population

Molar development is widely accepted as a reliable indicator of chronological age in a forensic context. A quantitative method for age estimation has been proposed by Cameriere et al. based on the relationship between chronological age and the third molar maturity index (I3M), which is the ratio between the two apical pulp widths and the total tooth length. Cameriere’s cut off value of 0.08 was found to be a reliable tool in assessing the threshold of 18 years of age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the I3M in different ethnic populations focusing on its specificity (subjects correctly classified as <18 years based on I3M >0.08) and sensitivity (subjects correctly classified as ≥18 years based on I3M <0.08). A review of 22 scientific articles was performed, representing data from panoramic radiographs of 12,286 individuals (5723 males and 6563 females) from all over the world, including some ethnical subgroups. The I3M showed an overall sensitivity for both sexes ranging from 51.8% to 93.4% and a specificity ranging from 86.2% to 100%. The proportion of correctly classified individuals ranged from 74% to 95%. These results can be useful to refer the age estimation with the margin of error of subjects correctly classified as minors (specificity) or adults (sensitivity), according to sex, ethnicity and geographical distribution. The I3M can be considered a suitable method for estimating adulthood in forensic settings, regardless of sex. However, ethnic group can affect the accuracy.

Download Full-text

Dental Radiographs for Age Estimation in US Asylum Seekers: Methodological, Ethical, and Health Issues

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2020.305918 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 110 (12) ◽

pp. 1786-1789

Author(s):

Farzana Kapadia ◽

Jacqueline Stevens ◽

Diana Silver

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Age Estimation ◽

Asylum Seekers ◽

Third Molar ◽

The United States ◽

Migrant Children ◽

Chronological Age ◽

X Rays ◽

Health Issues ◽

Dental Radiographs

Unaccompanied migrant children seeking asylum status in the United States are often forced to undergo dental radiographs, or x-rays, to verify that they are younger than 18 years. The application of third molar dental radiographs is methodologically flawed and should not be employed as a determinant of chronological age. Furthermore, the use of such tests without obtaining informed consent from either the youth or an objective advocate is unethical. Finally, the legal and health consequences of these inappropriately applied tests are severe and jeopardize the safety and security of these vulnerable minors.

Download Full-text

Radiographic Evaluation of Developmental Stages of Third Molar in Relation to Chronological Age as Applicability in Forensic Age Estimation

Dentistry ◽

10.4172/2161-1122.s1-002 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol s1 ◽

Author(s):

Arati S Panchabhai

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Third Molar ◽

Forensic Age Estimation ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Radiographic Evaluation

Download Full-text

Chronological age estimation based on third molar development in a Portuguese population

International Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00414-010-0531-8 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 235-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Inês Morais Caldas ◽

Paula Júlio ◽

Ricardo Jorge Simões ◽

Eduarda Matos ◽

Américo Afonso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Third Molar ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Portuguese Population

Download Full-text

Western Saudi adolescent age estimation utilising third molar development

European Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.4103/1305-7456.137628 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 08 (03) ◽

pp. 296-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Amin M. Alshihri ◽

Estie Kruger ◽

Marc Tennant

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Tooth Development ◽

Third Molar ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Large Populations ◽

Males And Females ◽

The Mean ◽

Molar Morphology

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to establish reference data on third molar morphology/development for age estimation in Western Saudi adolescents, between ages 14 and 23 years of old. Materials and Methods: The orthopantomograms of 130 individuals (males and females), were examined, and the stage of third molar development were evaluated. Results: Mean ages, standard deviations, and percentile distributions are presented for each stage of development. The mean estimated age for all participants (n = 130) was 219.7 months, and this differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the mean chronological age (226.5 months). Deviations of predicted age from real age showed 28.5% of all participants had their age estimated within 1 year (±12 months) of their chronological age. Most (43%) had their age underestimated by more than 12 months and the remaining 28.5% had their age overestimated by more than 12 months of their chronological age. Differences in left-right symmetry information of third molars were detected and were higher in the maxilla (92%) than in the mandible (82%). For all molars reaching stage “H” most individuals (males and females) were over the age 18 years of old. Males reach the developmental stages earlier than females. Conclusion: Third molar tooth development can be reliably used to generate mean age and the estimated age range for an individual of unknown chronological age. Further studies with large populations are needed for better statistical results.

Download Full-text

Three-dimensional verification of the radiographic visibility of the root pulp used for forensic age estimation in mandibular third molar

Dentomaxillofacial Radiology ◽

10.1259/dmfr.20210368 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dilara Nil Gunacar ◽

Seval Bayrak ◽

Enver Alper Sinanoglu

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Estimation Method ◽

Third Molar ◽

Fair Agreement ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Female Group ◽

Third Molars ◽

Imaging Methods ◽

Mandibular Third Molars

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of panoramic radiography (OPG) using age estimation method using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) verification in the evaluation of radiographic visibility of root pulp (RPV) of mandibular third molars for age estimation. Methods CBCT and OPG images of 429 mandibular third molars from 290 patients were evaluated. RPV of fully mineralized mandibular third molars was evaluated as stages 0, 1, 2, and three for both imaging methods. Descriptive statistics were performed separately for stages by age for both genders. The consistency of these scores with chronological age was evaluated for both imaging methods. The reliability of OPG evaluation was also analyzed with CBCT scores. Results: Spearman’s rho correlation demonstrated a positive correlation between RPV and chronological age for both genders and for OPG and CBCT evaluation. Considering the minimum ages of both imaging methods, all stages were above the age of 18 except for the female group of Stage two and all Stage 0. For the comparison of OPG and CBCT RPV Staging scores, the κ score was found to be 0.312 (p < 0.001), indicating a fair agreement. Conclusion In conclusion, the absence of Stage 3 at age of 18 and under might have a forensic value for RPV age estimation method. Considering the fair agreement in the verification of OPG scores, it is not possible to determine the exact age with the RPV detected in OPG images, the use of CBCT for the RPV evaluation is recommended to available cases

Download Full-text

Dental Age Assessment using Demirjian’s Eight Teeth Method and Willems Method in a Tertiary Hospital

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.3876 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (214) ◽

pp. 912-916

Author(s):

Nitin Kumar Agrawal ◽

Lucina Hackman ◽

Samarika Dahal

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Tooth Development ◽

Third Molar ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Criminal Prosecution ◽

Dental Age ◽

Dental Age Estimation ◽

The Mean ◽

Willems Method

Introduction: Age estimation is an important aspect in forensic anthropology, as it can aid in the identification of the deceased, and can be used in cases of immigration, child abuse and criminal prosecution in living individuals. Dental age estimation is considered reliable and accurate, since tooth development is least affected by environmental factors compared to somatic growth.Methods: In total, 150 pre-orthodontic treatment radiographs from healthy individuals were assessed. These individuals were aged between 8 to 19 years. Dental age for these individuals was calculated by two methods: Demirjian’s eight teeth method and Willems method. For Willems method, seven teeth on the left side of mandible (except the third molar) were staged according to Demirjian’s staging, and for Demirjian’s eight teeth method, all eight teeth were staged.Results: The mean chronological ages were 13.6961±1.94384 years in males and 13.9204±2.63541 years in females. The mean estimated ages by Demirjian’s eight teeth method were 12.1856±1.73478 years and 11.7906±2.32344 years in males and females respectively. Similarly, the mean estimated ages by Willems method were 12.8958±1.46838 years in males and 12.6926±2.27807 years in females.Conclusions: Willems method and Demirjian’s eight teeth method underestimated the chronological age in the given population. Both methods showed excellent correlation with chronological age indicating their applicability in dental age estimation, with development of population specific scores.

Download Full-text

Radiological age estimation using third molars mineralization in a sample attending orthodontic clinics (A retrospective study)

Journal of Baghdad College of Dentistry ◽

10.26477/jbcd.v32i1.2759 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 57-64

Author(s):

Zainab M Kadhom

Keyword(s):

Age Estimation ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Third Molar ◽

Practical Method ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Third Molars ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mandibular Third Molars ◽

The Right ◽

Demirjian Method

Background: The evaluation of the chronological age is a practical method in crime investigation field that assists in identifying individuals to treat them as underage or adult. This study aimed to assess the stages of third molars mineralization in relation to chronological age of Iraqi individuals, determine the gender differences and arches (maxillary/mandibular) differences. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 orthopantomograms of orthodontic patients were collected according to specific criteria and evaluated visually. The developmental stages of maxillary and mandibular third molars were determined according to Demirjian method. The chronological age was recorded according to the particular mineralization stages at which it reached considering genders, sides and jaws. Comparisons were done using paired sample and independent sample t-tests. Results: Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between maxillary and mandibular third molars. The maxillary third molars reached earlier than mandibular one in stages F and G. There was no significant difference between the mean ages of males and females at each given developmental stage in the maxillary and mandibular third molars except for the stage D in the maxilla and stages D and E in the mandible. The development of third molar teeth on the right and left sides was similar except for the maxillary arch in males when there was a significant difference in stage C and D and stage E in the mandibular arch. Conclusion: The Demirjian method is an excellent approach for age assessment using Orthopantomogram. All of the differences between the current study and other studies could be because of the difference in the populations who were chosen from different geographical areas. Keywords: Age estimation, Demirjian method, third molar, Orthopantomogram, chronological age.

Download Full-text