RADIOGRAPHIC METHODS OF DENTAL AGE ESTIMATION

The dental system is an integral part of the human body, its growth and development can be studied in parallel with other physiological maturity indicators such as bone age, menarche and height. Several authors have shown that dental parameters are more suitable for age estimation in children because the variability is lower since calcification rates of teeth are more controlled by genes than by environmental factors. Dental features can give most precise, accurate and reliable age estimates, particularly in sub-adults , as dental evidence is less influenced by the taphonomic damages or traumatic insults. Amongst the various methods used for age determination in individuals, the radiological method has certain advantages over other methods. They are simple, quick, economic, non-mutilating and non-invasive can be applied for identifying the age in dead as well as living persons and in all communities.