Relationship between Calendar Age and Degree of Edentulousness of the Lower Third Molar in Cameroon: About 419 Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Estimation of forensic age has gained in importance, whether for supplementary judgment or criminal responsibility. Our study reports the association between the civil age and the degree of edification of the lower third molar in Cameroon. Materials and method: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study in three private imaging centers in two cities in Cameroon over a period of 7 months, from November 2021 to May 2022, over the period from 2017 to 2020, i.e. 4 years. Included were all radiographic records of individuals 10 to 25 years old. The ophthalmographic estimation was made according to the Demirjian stages. Using Epi info 7 software, data analyses were performed. The significance threshold was set at 5%. Results: A total of 419 were included. The majority of individuals in our sample were male (53%) with a sex-ratio of 1.13. The average civil age was 16.7 ± 4.4 years. The mean age of patients increased with the level of tooth edification, whether tooth 48 or 38. Individuals who constituted Demirjian stage H where predominant, 31% for the 48 and 29% for the 38. For tooth 48 they were at least 18.3 years for men and 18.6 years for women while for the 38, the minimum age for this stage was 18.3 years for men and 19 years for women. Conclusion: Our study showed that the preponderant stage of construction was stage H with a minimum age corresponding to criminal majority in Cameroon.