English

Abstract

Estimating the age of an individual is important to differentiate between adolescence and adulthood, because criminal laws are different for them. From dentist point of view, third molar is the only teeth which can differentiate these two age groups. Among the numerous methods of age estimation using third molars, assessment of mineralization and eruption status is the most commonly used method. Aim: To compare three radiographic methods of age estimation using the developmental stages of third molar. Material and Methods: 204 orthopantomographs were retrieved of known age and gender. Evaluation of the developmental stages of third molar was done by three different methods (Olze et al, Gleiser and Hunt and Demirjian et al). Statistical Analysis: Predictive equations were derived using linear regression analysis. The thus obtained R square values were then compared to assess the best predictive equation. Results: Estimation of age showed better association with respect to mandibular molars than maxillary molars. Gleiser and Hunt method was more accurate than Olze et al and Demirjian et al techniques. Conclusion: The better accuracy of Gleiser and Hunt method could be attributed to the greater subdivision (n=10) of developmental stages as compared to Olze (n=4) and Demirjian (n=8).