Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Third-molar development in relation to chronologic age in young adults of central China

  • Published:
Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology [Medical Sciences] Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The estimation of chronologic age based on the stages of third-molar development was evaluated by using the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian and the third-molar development was compared, in terms of sex and age, with results of previous studies. The samples consisted of 291 orthopantomograms from young Chinese subjects of known chronologic age and sex (including 139 males with a mean age of 14.67±3.62 y and 152 females with a mean age of 14.85±3.70 y). Statistical analysis was performed by employing the Mann-Whitney U-test and the t-test. Regression analysis was conducted to obtain regression formulas for calculating dental age from the chronologic age. Our results showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in third-molar development between males and females, at the calcification stages D, E and H. And a strong correlation was found between age and third-molar development in both males (r 2=0.65) and females (r 2=0.61). New equations (Age=8.76+1.32 Development stage) for estimating chronologic age were derived. It is concluded that third-molar genesis took place earlier in males than in females. The use of third molars as a developmental marker is appropriate in young adults of Central China. The formula obtained in the present study can be used as a guide for estimation of dental maturity and a standard for age estimation for young adults of Central China.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ritz-Timme S, Cattaneo C, Collins M J et al. Age estimation: the state of the art in relation to the specific demands of forensic practice. Int J Legal Med, 2000,113:129–136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Willems G. A review of the most commonly used dental age estimation techniques. J Forensic Odontostomatol, 2001,19:9–17

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Thorson J, Hägg U, The accuracy and precision of the third mandibular molars as an indicator of chronological age. Swed Dent J, 1991,15:15–22

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Demirjian A, Goldstein H, Tanner J M. A new system of dental age assessment. Hum Biol, 1973,42:211–227

    Google Scholar 

  5. Levesque G Y, Demirijian A, Tanguay R. Sexual dimorphism in the development, emergence, and agenesis of the mandibular third molar. J Dent Res, 1981,60:1735–1741

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Nyarady Z, Mornstad H, Olasz L et al. Age estimation of children in south-western Hungary using the modified Demirjian method. Fogorv Sz, 2005,98, 193–198

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chaillet N, Willems G, Demirjian A. Dental maturity in Belgian children using Demirjian’s method and polynomial functions: new standard curves for forensic and clinical use. J Forensic Odontostomatol, 2004,22:18–27

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Li X H. Bio-anthropology. Guangzhou: Publishing House of Sun Yat-sen University (Chinese), 2007.73–75

    Google Scholar 

  9. Melsen B, Wenzel A, Miletic T et al. Dental and skeletal maturity in adoptive children: assessments at arrival and after one year in the admitting country. Ann Hum Biol, 1986,13:153–159

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Kullman L. Accuracy of two dental and one skeletal age estimation method in Swedish adolescents. Forensic Sci Int, 1995,75:225–236

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gleiser I, Hunt E E. The permanent mandibular first molar; its calcification, eruption and decay. Am J Phys Anthropol, 1955,13:253–284

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Olze A, Taniguchi M, Schmeling A et al. Comparative study on the chronology of third molar mineralization in a Japanese and a German population. Leg Med, 2003,5:256–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Köhler S, Schmelzle R, Loitz C et al. Entwicklung des Weisheitszahnes als Kriterium der Lebensalterbestimmung. Ann Anat, 1994,176:339–345

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Orhan K, Ozer L, Orhan A et al. Radiographic evaluation of third-molar development in relation to chronological age among Turkish children and youth. Forensic Sci Int, 2007,165:46–51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Dhanjal K S, Bhardwaj M K, Liversidge H M. Reproducibility of radiographic stage assessment of third-molars. Forensic Sci Int, 2006,159:74–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Uzamis M, Kansu O, Taner T U et al. Radiographic evaluation of third-molar development in a group of Turkish children. ASDC J Dent Child, 2000,67:136–141

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Arany S, Iino M, Yoshioka N. Radiographic survey of thirdmolar development in relation to chronological age among Japanese juveniles. J Forensic Sci, 2004,49:534–538

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Daito M, Tanaka M, Hieda T. Clinical observations on the development of third molars. J Osaka Dent Univ, 1992,26:91–104

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gorgani N, Sullivan R E, DuBois L. A radiographic investigation of third-molar development. ASDC J Dent Child, 1990,57:106–110

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Harris E F, McKee J H. Tooth mineralization standards for blacks and whites from the middle southern United States. J Forensic Sci, 1990,35:859–872

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthodontics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Yuming Bai  (白宇明), Jing Mao  (毛 靖), Shengrong Zhu  (朱声荣) & Wei Wei  (魏 蔚)

  2. Department of Nursing, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Jing Mao  (毛 靖)

  3. Department of Forensic, Police College of Hubei, Wuhan, 430034, China

    Yuming Bai  (白宇明)

Authors
  1. Yuming Bai  (白宇明)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jing Mao  (毛 靖)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shengrong Zhu  (朱声荣)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wei Wei  (魏 蔚)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Yuming BAI, male, born in 1977, Doctoral Candidate

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bai, Y., Mao, J., Zhu, S. et al. Third-molar development in relation to chronologic age in young adults of central China. J. Huazhong Univ. Sci. Technol. [Med. Sci.] 28, 487–490 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-008-0426-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-008-0426-9

Key words

Search

Navigation