Age estimation from the root development of mandibular third molars

Identification of the living person and the dead is of paramount importance in forensic practice routinely. Age estimation is one of the prime factors employed to establish identity. Estimating age from teeth is generally reliable as they are naturally preserved long after all the tissues and even bones have disintegrated. A study was done to determine the age by root developmental changes using the intra-oral periapical radiographs of the mandibular third molars, adopting Leif Kullman et al method. Forty four girls and forty one boys of the age range 15-25 years, among the South Indian population of young adults from various schools and colleges and among the patients visiting the outpatient department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, College of Dental Surgery, Manipal were considered for this study. The subjects were roentgenographically examined to determine the age from the seven stages of root development of the mandibular third molars. Depending on the stage of root development as seen in the radiograph, the chronological age was determined. This method sheds a new light on determining the ages of 15, 16 and 18 years, which have an immense medicolegal bearing.