Utility of Spacing for Third Molar Teeth Along with its Eruption, for Determination of Age of an Individual: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Determination of individuality of person is one of the main objectives in any medico-legal
examination. Age of an individual is one of the key indicators to establish identity. Eruption of third molar
teeth is used frequently by forensic experts all over the world for age determination. Spacing for third molar
is another known phenomenon and few studies have been done so far to establish its use in age determination.
However we did not find any study to seek combined use of spacing for third molar and eruption of all third
molar teeth, for age determination.
Aims and Objectives: To establish utility of spacing for third molar along with eruption of third molarin
each socket for determination of age; and to devise an equation by using these characteristics to determine
age.
Material and Methodology: Current study is descriptive observational type of a study, conducted on 201
consenting individuals of age ranging from 17 to 22 years, after applying inclusion criteria. Oral examination
of individual was done and gathered information was later statistically analyzed using Microsoft excel.
Results: Alinear regression equation– BJGMCFMT equation (Y = 0.149 x + 15.57) is devised for age
determination, by using unique scoring system for parameters like spacing for third molar tooth and its
eruption.
Conclusion: Combined use of parameters like spacing for third molar and its eruption can be quantitatively
used for age determination with certain amount of accuracy and precision.