Estimation of Age Using Third Molar Development: A Radiological Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES

This study was carried out to correlate chronological age of the patients with dental age using to Demirjian's method and to evaluate if orthopantamogram examination of third molar development correlates with age estimation.

STUDY DESIGN

The study was designed as a radiological cross sectional study. Simple random sampling method was used to obtain study subjects.

METHODS

Total of 231 patients between the age group of 10 to 25 years, visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were selected. The digital orthopantomogram was obtained for these patients.

RESULTS

Our data showed that, in the maxilla, the stages of tooth developments A to E were reached earlier in men than in women, whereas stages F to H were reached earlier in women than men. In mandible stages B, C, E to F were reached earlier in men than women, whereas stages A and D were reached earlier by the female counterparts. There was a statistically significant difference noted between right and left third molar teeth in all the stages of tooth development.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that between the sexes in maxilla, men reached stages A to E earlier than women, whereas for stages F to H, women reached the stage earlier than men. For mandible, all stages except stage D were reached earlier by male subjects than female subjects. Our study showed that the third molar development can be affected positively by the chronological age of the patient, being developed either in maxilla or mandible, right or left side.