Netta Aderet

Age determination is important for forensic evaluation and for determining criminal responsibility. Based on the development of permanent teeth, the Demirjian staging evaluation key is commonly used in research for estimating age using teeth developmental stage. The purpose of the current study was to correlate the dental developmental age of third molar teeth with the chronological age of adolescent patients. This study evaluated 324 panorex images of Israeli patients aged 8–21 years with known birth dates and genders. The dental developmental stage was compared to the patient’s chronological age by gender and side (right/left and upper/lower jaws). This study also attempted to predict the patient’s age using the third molar developmental stage. The study included 179 male and 145 female patients. There was no statistical difference between the right and left sides of the upper or lower teeth. A strong correlation was found between third molar development and chronological age for both the maxilla and mandible. In 100% of cases, patients in developmental stage >5 were over 12 years old in the maxilla and in 97% of cases, were over 12 years old in the mandible. Patients in developmental stage >6 were over 14 years old in 100% of cases in both the maxilla and mandible. Patients in developmental stage >7 were over 16 years old in 100% of cases in both the maxilla and mandible. This study found that third molars can be used to accurately estimate age in a narrow age range, with a strong correlation between third molar development and chronological age. Further research may be needed to understand the utility of this method and its possible usage in different countries around the world.

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to assess the dental age of the subjects and compare it to their chronological age; to assess the dominant tooth for evaluation of dental age; and to investigate possible individual differences between the left and right side of the dental arch. (2) Methods: This study involved evaluating panoramic radiographs of patients aged 7–13 years. A separate assessment was performed for each tooth according to the degree of germ development. Each subject’s dental age was estimated. (3) Results: The study involved evaluating 349 panoramic radiographs. No difference was found between stages of tooth development on the right side and left side. Correlation between the stages of tooth development and the chronological age was found to be highest in the second permanent molar teeth. The age can be predicted with the estimated age of tooth #37 and the gender of the patient. (4) Conclusions: The chronological age of children aged 7–13 may be estimated based on a modified seven-stage London Atlas of tooth development, where the most accurate landmark(s) of use are second molars.