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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.16423.4

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Forensic age determination has evolved to be intriguingly significant and relatesto the challenges originating from globalisation as a result of a growing amount of foreignnationals with questionable birth date information and to identify victims who are unknown.

AIM: Aim of this research was to evaluate the estimation of age through visualisationof periodontal ligament (PDL) around fully mineralised lower third molars in the Chennai population, and also to assess the 18-year age threshold using PDL visibility.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: The research was a retrospective analysis that involved 100 OPGs (orthopantomographs) from the archives of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology from 2021 to 2022 were analysed to determine PDL present around the mandibular third molars. Grading each mandibular third molar was done by two observers.IBM SPSS version 23 was used to statistically evaluate the gathered data.

RESULTS: Among 100 study subjects, the mean age group was found to be 24.2 years. The frequency distribution of age was inferred from that of the study participants, 15% were under the age of 18, and 85% were above the age of 18. Males and girls with both lower third molars on the left and right had grades of stage 1 (34%), stage 2 (31%), and stage 3 (20%) at the age of 18. The 18-year threshold can be established by using periodontal ligament visibility, according to our findings, starting from Stage 1. The relationship between the variables was examined using the Chi square test, which produced a very significant p value of 0.00.

CONCLUSION: Radiographic age evaluation was a simple, repeatable, non-invasive technique that can be applied to both living and deceased people. Our research indicated that less than 18 years old was the minimal age for Stage 0 in both males and females. At the onset of stages , 2, and 3, all males and females were at least eighteen years old. Stages 1, 2, or 3 indicate that the person is older than 18. Thepopulace of Chennai would benefit from this innovative method of age estimation for use in forensics.

Keywords : Periodontal ligament; Mandibular third molar; Forensic.

Corresponding Author : Sreedevi Dharman, Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India.