| Abstrakt: |
Introduction: It is possible to estimate an individual s age when the birthday is indefinite by dental eruption stages. At 14-21 age range only third molars are being developed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the eruption stages of third molars and chronological age in a group of 14-21 year-old subjects. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, carried out during spring and summer 2012 in two clinics of the university, 180 panoramic radiographs of 34 males and 146 females were assessed; the subjects were in the 14-21 age range. Eruption stages of third molars were divided into 4 stages: 1. no emergence; 2. alveolar eruption; 3. gingival eruption; and 4. complete eruption. Then the relationship between these classifications and chronological age was evaluated separately in relation to sex. Then the relationship was used to predict each subject's age. Pearson's correlation test and regression analysis were used for data analysis with SPSS 11.5 (α = 0.05). Results: Spearman's correlation coefficients of teeth 18, 28, 38 and 48 were 0.621, 0.659, 0.659 and 0.633 in males and 0.658, 0.648, 0.636 and 0.614 in females, respectively (p value < 0.001 in all the cases). The mean ages for alveolar, gingival and complete eruptions were 15.46, 15.92 and 19.12 years in males and 16.03, 18.02 and 19.06 years in females, respectively. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between eruption stages of third molars and chronological age. Evaluation of wisdom teeth separately in relation to sex can be used for estimation of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
