Abstract
Objective: To determine the predictive ability of mandibular third molar in estimation of chronological age
 Material and methods: This is cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at Saidu college of Dentistry, Swat on 120 participants. The inclusion criteria were both males and females, age from 13 to 25 years, having good quality panoramic X-ray clearly showing lower third molar area. Participants with dental anomalies like oligodontia, Dentinogenesis/Amelogenesis imperfecta, fracture affecting angular region of mandible were excluded. Age, sex and tooth mineralization of lower third molar were recorded. Linear regression was applied using age as dependent and maturation stages of third molar as independent variable.
 Results: The mean age was 16.85±2.39 years. The females were 78 (65%) and males were 42 (35%). Overall the model shows that in 79.9% participant the variation in age can be explained by maturation stages of third molar and gender. The regression equation for age estimation is age= 11.42+1.68x(maturation stage) + 0.13x(gender).
 Conclusion: Mandibular third tooth maturation stages are useful in prediction of chronological age of the patients.
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