Age Estimation by Mincer method in South-Indian population-A Retrospective study
Vidhya Arumugam, Nagabhushana Doggalli, Karthikeya Patil, Sushma Rudraswamy, Sowmya Srinivas, Sowmya Halasabalu Kalgeri · Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology · 2021
The third molar, which is the only tooth that mineralize and erupts between the ages of 14 and 22, can be an important parameter in identifying individuals from adolescence to young adult. Since the criminal laws for juveniles and adults are different, it is authoritative to distinguish between children and adults, especially when documents are not maintained properly. To determine the applicability of the Mincer method for estimating dental age with third molars in a South Indian population using orthopantomogram (OPG) radiograph. The study was conducted on 400 OPG (200 males, 200 females) of the age groups between 14-22 years. They were divided into 8 groups (50 subjects in each age group). The OPGs were taken with PROMAX digital Planmeca Machine. Mincer (1993) adapted Demirjian (1973) mineralization stages A-H was used for staging of all four third molar. Statistical analysis was performed. Descriptive statistics were obtained by calculating the means, standard deviations. Regression formulae were obtained for calculating dental age from tooth developmental stages, Empirical probability and accuracy was checked. The results showed a stronger correlation between the age and developmental stages of the third molars. The standard deviation mean of tooth developmental stage showed ± 0.5 years of age. As shown by multiple and stepwise regression analysis, the mandibular left third molar did not contribute significantly to the age prediction. Therefore, the use of one maxillary third molar and mandibular right third molar yielded a statistically significant improvement in predictive accuracy. From these observations, the predicted age of the present study is close to the observed age compared with the predicted value obtained by Mincer’s formula.