Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation among chronological age, sex and stages of mineralization of third molars using orthopantomograms in a Brazilian population. For such purpose, 1,200 orthopantomograms of 9-20-year-old individuals (654 females and 546 males) were examined using as reference the Nicodemo’s table of mineralization chronology of permanent teeth among Brazilians. Estimated mean ages, standard deviations, standard errors and percent age distribution in each mineralization stage were established. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (p≤0.05) nonparametric tests were used to verify the influence of sex in the stages of mineralization of the third molars. The development of maxillary and mandibular and right and left third molars was similar in all stages. Females presented a more advanced stage of mineralization of third molars than males. Statistically significant difference in third molar development between males and females was found in stage 4 in teeth 18 (p=0.008), 28 (p=0.029), 38 (p=0.010) and 48 (p=0.046). The results suggest that the development of third molars is similar in both sexes, regardless of the quadrant of dental arch and the tooth mineralization stage table employed in this study was applicable for using third molars as parameters for age estimation in the studied population.
Highlights
Forensic age estimation of skeletons and corpses for identification purposes has been a conventional feature of Forensic Sciences, with great relevance from ethical and legal perspectives (KARAARSLAN et al, 2010)
The forensic dentist may contribute for determination of people’s age by using direct methods based on clinical examination, which involve the observation of the number of erupted teeth, chronology of eruption and general conditions of the teeth; or indirect methods based on the analysis of intraoral and extraoral radiographs, mainly for observation of the stages of mineralization of the teeth (ARAÚJO et al, 2010), which is one of the most commonly used methods for age estimation (BRKIC; MILICEVIC; PETROVECKI, 2006)
The chronological age of each subject was calculated based on reported date of birth and date of the radiographic examination contained on the orthopantomograms
Summary
Forensic age estimation of skeletons and corpses for identification purposes has been a conventional feature of Forensic Sciences, with great relevance from ethical and legal perspectives (KARAARSLAN et al, 2010). Age determination of living or dead individuals is a major issue and is frequently the first step in the whole identification process (SCHEMELING et al, 2007). The forensic dentist may contribute for determination of people’s age by using direct methods based on clinical examination, which involve the observation of the number of erupted teeth, chronology of eruption and general conditions of the teeth; or indirect methods based on the analysis of intraoral and extraoral radiographs, mainly for observation of the stages of mineralization of the teeth (ARAÚJO et al, 2010), which is one of the most commonly used methods for age estimation (BRKIC; MILICEVIC; PETROVECKI, 2006). Despite the scientific evidence supporting the use of dental age for estimation of chronological age, it should be considered that there is variation from one individual to another. Age estimation becomes more difficult after the age of 14 because the mineralization of most teeth is completed around this age (HERAS; FORTEA; ORTEGA, 1987)
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