Age estimation based on the stage of mineralization of third molars on orthopantomograms

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation among chronological age, sex and stages of mineralization of third molars using orthopantomograms in a Brazilian population. For such purpose, 1,200 orthopantomograms of 9-20-year-old individuals (654 females and 546 males) were examined using as reference the Nicodemo's table of mineralization chronology of permanent teeth among Brazilians. Estimated mean ages, standard deviations, standard errors and percent age distribution in each mineralization stage were established. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (p≤0.05) nonparametric tests were used to verify the influence of sex in the stages of mineralization of the third molars. The development of maxillary and mandibular and right and left third molars was similar in all stages. Females presented a more advanced stage of mineralization of third molars than males. Statistically significant difference in third molar development between males and females was found in stage 4 in teeth 18 (p=0.008), 28 (p=0.029), 38 (p=0.010) and 48 (p=0.046). The results suggest that the development of third molars is similar in both sexes, regardless of the quadrant of dental arch and the tooth mineralization stage table employed in this study was applicable for using third molars as parameters for age estimation in the studied population.