Age Estimation Using Dental Eruption and Physical Examination in Central Indian Population – A Cross-sectional Study
Prakash M. Mohite, Swapnil Patond, Sundeep Ingale, Deepali Mohite, Ashok Jivane, Ankit K. BadgeIntroduction:
Human age estimation is a key process used by archeologists, anthropologists, and forensic scientists to determine the age of individuals or fossils. This technique is crucial for criminal investigations and mass disaster scenarios, providing valuable information about the age of remains. Estimating age is a crucial factor in establishing an individual’s identity that can help the judiciary in cases of crime and in civil matters to impart justice.
Objectives:
This cross-sectional study was aimed to determine an individual’s age from the physical and dental parameters of chronological age between 12 and 20 years reporting to a Medical College in Central India.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional, prospective study focused on living individuals aged 12–20 years of both genders, excluding transgender participants to avoid any ambiguity. Physical parameters and dental eruption data were collected, tabulated, and analyzed to draw the appropriate conclusions.
Results:
A total of 112 participants aged 12–20 years were examined, including 54 males and 58 females. Males had an average height and weight 1.25 cm and 4.02 kg higher than females, respectively. The average body mass index for males was 19.05, compared to 17.62 for females. The average age of menarche for females was 11.5 years. Males typically experienced voice cracking at the age of 12 years, with a hoarse voice by ages 14–15 years. In intraoral examinations, 24 teeth were present in females at age 12, while in males, this was observed between ages 12–14 years. The second molar appeared in females at age 13 and in males between ages 15 and 17 years.
Conclusion:
Numerous methods and substantial literature exist for age estimation, although the associated uncertainty and precision of different techniques are not always well understood. This study aimed to correlate estimated age with sexual maturation and dental growth based on the updated recommendations. Physical parameters and secondary sexual characteristics in individuals from Central India were found to be at stages 2 and 3 for both females and males, with an average age of 12–14 years. The average age of menarche was 11.5 years.