Application of age assessment based on the radiographic visibility of the root pulp of lower third molars in a northern Chinese population.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to explore the potential application of radiographic visibility of the root pulp in lower third molars in a northern Chinese population, in order to determine if this methodology can be used to prove whether a person has surpassed the thresholds of 18 and 21years of age. A total of 1300 orthopantomograms comprising equal numbers of females and males evenly distributed between the ages of 15 and 40years were analyzed. The radiographic visibility of the root pulp of the lower third molars was assessed using the stages described by Olze et al. (2010). Stage 1 first appeared at 19.25years in males and at 20.73years in females. The earliest appearance of stage 2 happened at 22.33years in males and at 22.41years in females. Stage 3 was achieved first at 26.45years in males and at 27.66years in females. It was concluded that stages 1, 2, and 3 can be used to show that a person is over 18years of age. If stages 2 or 3 are determined, it is possible to prove that an individual has already attained the age of 21years.