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Chronological age estimation based on third molar development in a Portuguese population

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Abstract

Third molar development was assessed using a sample of 1,131 orthopantomograms from a Portuguese population. The methodology applied was the eight stages (A–H) method described by Demirjian et al. The final sample was made of 739 orthopantomograms, 387 (52.5%) of which belonging to females; age ranged between 6.1 and 22.5 years old (mean age = 14.49, S.D. = 4.37). For each developmental stage, mean age, standard deviation, and minimal and maximal age was assessed; evaluation of the rate formation of each tooth, according to sex, was calculated and data distribution expressed in percentiles for each stage; the probability of an individual being 16 was also evaluated. The relationship between tooth development and chronological age had a statistical significance for all teeth and both sexes (p < 0.0001). The data described may provide reference for forensic application and agree with the thesis that each population need specific data.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank to Dr. B. Knell for all the support given.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Medicine Faculty of Porto University, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-393, Porto, Portugal

    Inês Morais Caldas, Paula Júlio, Ricardo Jorge Simões & Américo Afonso

  2. Center of Forensic Sciences, Largo da Sé Nova, 3000-213, Coimbra, Portugal

    Inês Morais Caldas, Américo Afonso & Teresa Magalhães

  3. Biomedical Sciences Institute “Abel Salazar” of Porto University, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, 2, 4099-003, Porto, Portugal

    Eduarda Matos & Teresa Magalhães

  4. National Institute of Legal Medicine–North Branch, Jardim Carrilho Videira, 4050-167, Porto, Portugal

    Teresa Magalhães

  5. Faculty of Medicine of Porto University, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Teresa Magalhães

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  1. Inês Morais Caldas
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  2. Paula Júlio
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  3. Ricardo Jorge Simões
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  4. Eduarda Matos
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  6. Teresa Magalhães
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Correspondence to Inês Morais Caldas.

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Caldas, I.M., Júlio, P., Simões, R.J. et al. Chronological age estimation based on third molar development in a Portuguese population. Int J Legal Med 125, 235–243 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0531-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0531-8

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