DENTAL AGE PREDICTION USING THE RADIOGRAPHIC VISIBILITY OF ROOT PULP OF LOWER THIRD MOLARS AMONG SELECTED NIGERIANS.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing need for a scientifically proven method to determine an individual’s age beyond a reasonable
doubt, which has necessitated the use of several methods to confirm human age. One of the methods used in age estimation among
humans is the assessment of dental radiographs, which can be used in conjunction with other methods.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the usefulness of orthopantomogram (OPG) in age estimation among selected Nigerians.
METHODS: A retrospective assessment of 306 orthopantomograms from the Department of Oral Pathology at University College
Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, was undertaken. The inclusion criteria included an image that was clear enough for a reasonable diagnosis,
showing third molars with complete root formation and apical closure, and the availability of complete biodata for the patient. The included OPGs were assessed for the radiographic visibility of the root pulp canals of mandibular third molars, as described by Olze et al. The age estimations using the radiographic visibility of the root pulp canals were then compared with their chronologic age.
RESULTS: Three hundred and six OPGs were assessed, comprising those belonging to 139 (45.4%) males and 167 (54.6%) females,
with their ages ranging from 16 to 40 years. An assessment of the minimum age of the stages of radiographic visibility of the root pulp
revealed that the minimum age at which the lumen of all root canals is visible to the apex (stage 0) was 16 years for both genders, as
observed in teeth 38 and 48. Apart from stage 1 in tooth 48, which had a higher minimum age than stage 2, there was a gradual increase in the minimum age from stage 0 to 3. However, the trend for maximum age was a sharp transition from 36 to 40 years for both teeth from stage 1 to 3.
CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, OPG images of mandibular third molars can be used to reasonably estimate the age of individuals, as found in this study, and may also be useful in differentiating Nigerians with an earlier eruption sequence from Caucasians with reported delayed eruption of third mandibular molars.