Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 3/2016

01-05-2016 | Original Article

Radiologic assessment of third molar tooth and spheno-occipital synchondrosis for age estimation: a multiple regression analysis study

Authors: Husniye Demirturk Kocasarac, Alper Sinanoglu, Marcel Noujeim, Dilek Helvacioglu Yigit, Canan Baydemir

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 3/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

For forensic age estimation, radiographic assessment of third molar mineralization is important between 14 and 21 years which coincides with the legal age in most countries. The spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is an important growth site during development, and its use for age estimation is beneficial when combined with other markers. In this study, we aimed to develop a regression model to estimate and narrow the age range based on the radiologic assessment of third molar and SOS in a Turkish subpopulation. Panoramic radiographs and cone beam CT scans of 349 subjects (182 males, 167 females) with age between 8 and 25 were evaluated. Four-stage system was used to evaluate the fusion degree of SOS, and Demirjian’s eight stages of development for calcification for third molars. The Pearson correlation indicated a strong positive relationship between age and third molar calcification for both sexes (r = 0.850 for females, r = 0.839 for males, P < 0.001) and also between age and SOS fusion for females (r = 0.814), but a moderate relationship was found for males (r = 0.599), P < 0.001). Based on the results obtained, an age determination formula using these scores was established.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Willems G (2001) A review of the most commonly used dental age estimation techniques. J Forensic Odontostomatol 19:9–17PubMed Willems G (2001) A review of the most commonly used dental age estimation techniques. J Forensic Odontostomatol 19:9–17PubMed
2.
go back to reference Schmeling A et al (2011) Forensic age estimation in unaccompanied minors and young living adults. INTECH Open Access Publisher Schmeling A et al (2011) Forensic age estimation in unaccompanied minors and young living adults. INTECH Open Access Publisher
3.
go back to reference Caldas IM et al (2011) Chronological age estimation based on third molar development in a Portuguese population. Int J Legal Med 125(2):235–243CrossRefPubMed Caldas IM et al (2011) Chronological age estimation based on third molar development in a Portuguese population. Int J Legal Med 125(2):235–243CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Dünkel F, Van Kalmthout A, Schüler-Springorum H (1997) Entwicklungstendenzen und Reformstrategien im Jugendstrafrecht im europäischen Vergleich. Forum Verlag Godesberg Dünkel F, Van Kalmthout A, Schüler-Springorum H (1997) Entwicklungstendenzen und Reformstrategien im Jugendstrafrecht im europäischen Vergleich. Forum Verlag Godesberg
5.
go back to reference Garamendi P et al (2005) Reliability of the methods applied to assess age minority in living subjects around 18 years old: a survey on a Moroccan origin population. Forensic Sci Int 154(1):3–12CrossRefPubMed Garamendi P et al (2005) Reliability of the methods applied to assess age minority in living subjects around 18 years old: a survey on a Moroccan origin population. Forensic Sci Int 154(1):3–12CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Kvaal SI et al (1995) Age estimation of adults from dental radiographs. Forensic Sci Int 74(3):175–185CrossRefPubMed Kvaal SI et al (1995) Age estimation of adults from dental radiographs. Forensic Sci Int 74(3):175–185CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Juneja M et al (2014) Age estimation using pulp/tooth area ratio in maxillary canines—a digital image analysis. J Forensic Dent Sci 6(3):160PubMedPubMedCentral Juneja M et al (2014) Age estimation using pulp/tooth area ratio in maxillary canines—a digital image analysis. J Forensic Dent Sci 6(3):160PubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference de Oliveira FT et al (2015) Mandibular ramus length as an indicator of chronological age and sex. Int J Legal Med 129(1):195–201CrossRefPubMed de Oliveira FT et al (2015) Mandibular ramus length as an indicator of chronological age and sex. Int J Legal Med 129(1):195–201CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Moorrees CF, Fanning EA, Hunt EE Jr (1963) Age variation of formation stages for ten permanent teeth. J Dent Res 42(6):1490–1502CrossRefPubMed Moorrees CF, Fanning EA, Hunt EE Jr (1963) Age variation of formation stages for ten permanent teeth. J Dent Res 42(6):1490–1502CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Demirjian A, Goldstein H, Tanner J (1973) A new system of dental age assessment. Hum Biol 45:211–227PubMed Demirjian A, Goldstein H, Tanner J (1973) A new system of dental age assessment. Hum Biol 45:211–227PubMed
11.
go back to reference Kullman L, Johanson G, Akesson L (1991) Root development of the lower third molar and its relation to chronological age. Swed Dent J 16(4):161–167 Kullman L, Johanson G, Akesson L (1991) Root development of the lower third molar and its relation to chronological age. Swed Dent J 16(4):161–167
12.
go back to reference Mincer HH, Harris EF, Berryman HE (1993) The ABFO study of third molar development and its use as an estimator of chronological age. J Forensic Sci 38:379–390CrossRefPubMed Mincer HH, Harris EF, Berryman HE (1993) The ABFO study of third molar development and its use as an estimator of chronological age. J Forensic Sci 38:379–390CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference De Salvia A et al (2004) Third mandibular molar radiological development as an indicator of chronological age in a European population. Forensic Sci Int 146:S9–S12CrossRefPubMed De Salvia A et al (2004) Third mandibular molar radiological development as an indicator of chronological age in a European population. Forensic Sci Int 146:S9–S12CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Olze A et al (2005) Validation of common classification systems for assessing the mineralization of third molars. Int J Legal Med 119(1):22–26CrossRefPubMed Olze A et al (2005) Validation of common classification systems for assessing the mineralization of third molars. Int J Legal Med 119(1):22–26CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Bassed RB, Briggs C, Drummer OH (2011) Age estimation using CT imaging of the third molar tooth, the medial clavicular epiphysis, and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis: a multifactorial approach. Forensic Sci Int 212(1):273. e1, 273. e5 Bassed RB, Briggs C, Drummer OH (2011) Age estimation using CT imaging of the third molar tooth, the medial clavicular epiphysis, and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis: a multifactorial approach. Forensic Sci Int 212(1):273. e1, 273. e5
16.
go back to reference Martrille L et al (2007) Comparison of four skeletal methods for the estimation of age at death on white and black adults*. J Forensic Sci 52(2):302–307CrossRefPubMed Martrille L et al (2007) Comparison of four skeletal methods for the estimation of age at death on white and black adults*. J Forensic Sci 52(2):302–307CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Hanihara K, Suzuki T (1978) Estimation of age from the pubic symphysis by means of multiple regression analysis. Am J Phys Anthropol 48(2):233–239CrossRefPubMed Hanihara K, Suzuki T (1978) Estimation of age from the pubic symphysis by means of multiple regression analysis. Am J Phys Anthropol 48(2):233–239CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Kangne R, Sami S, Deshpande V (1999) Age estimation of adolescent girls by radiography. J Forensic Med Toxicol 16(1):20–26 Kangne R, Sami S, Deshpande V (1999) Age estimation of adolescent girls by radiography. J Forensic Med Toxicol 16(1):20–26
19.
go back to reference Krishan K, Kanchan T (2013) Evaluation of spheno-occipital synchondrosis: a review of literature and considerations from forensic anthropologic point of view. J Forensic Dent Sci 5(2):72CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Krishan K, Kanchan T (2013) Evaluation of spheno-occipital synchondrosis: a review of literature and considerations from forensic anthropologic point of view. J Forensic Dent Sci 5(2):72CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
20.
go back to reference Proffit WR, Fields HW Jr, Sarver DM (2014) Contemporary orthodontics. Elsevier Health Sciences Proffit WR, Fields HW Jr, Sarver DM (2014) Contemporary orthodontics. Elsevier Health Sciences
21.
go back to reference Shirley NR, Jantz RL (2011) Spheno‐occipital synchondrosis fusion in modern Americans. J Forensic Sci 56(3):580–585CrossRefPubMed Shirley NR, Jantz RL (2011) Spheno‐occipital synchondrosis fusion in modern Americans. J Forensic Sci 56(3):580–585CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Okamoto K et al (1996) High-resolution CT findings in the development of the sphenooccipital synchondrosis. Am J Neuroradiol 17(1):117–120PubMed Okamoto K et al (1996) High-resolution CT findings in the development of the sphenooccipital synchondrosis. Am J Neuroradiol 17(1):117–120PubMed
23.
go back to reference Franklin D, Flavel A (2014) Brief communication: timing of spheno‐occipital closure in modern Western Australians. Am J Phys Anthropol 153(1):132–138CrossRefPubMed Franklin D, Flavel A (2014) Brief communication: timing of spheno‐occipital closure in modern Western Australians. Am J Phys Anthropol 153(1):132–138CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Bassed RB, Briggs C, Drummer OH (2010) Analysis of time of closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis using computed tomography. Forensic Sci Int 200(1):161–164CrossRefPubMed Bassed RB, Briggs C, Drummer OH (2010) Analysis of time of closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis using computed tomography. Forensic Sci Int 200(1):161–164CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Angelopoulos C, Scarfe WC, Farman AG (2012) A comparison of maxillofacial CBCT and medical CT. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin 20(1):1–17CrossRef Angelopoulos C, Scarfe WC, Farman AG (2012) A comparison of maxillofacial CBCT and medical CT. Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin 20(1):1–17CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Bhat VJ, Kamath GP (2007) Age estimation from root development of mandibular third molars in comparison with skeletal age of wrist joint. Am J forensic Med Pathol 28(3):238–241CrossRefPubMed Bhat VJ, Kamath GP (2007) Age estimation from root development of mandibular third molars in comparison with skeletal age of wrist joint. Am J forensic Med Pathol 28(3):238–241CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Sisman Y et al (2007) Third-molar development in relation to chronologic age in Turkish children and young adults. Angle Orthod 77(6):1040–1045CrossRefPubMed Sisman Y et al (2007) Third-molar development in relation to chronologic age in Turkish children and young adults. Angle Orthod 77(6):1040–1045CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Landis JR, Koch GG (1977) The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 33:159–174CrossRefPubMed Landis JR, Koch GG (1977) The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 33:159–174CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Black S, Ferguson E (2011) Forensic anthropology: 2000 to 2010. CRC Press Black S, Ferguson E (2011) Forensic anthropology: 2000 to 2010. CRC Press
30.
go back to reference Franklin D (2010) Forensic age estimation in human skeletal remains: current concepts and future directions. Legal Med 12(1):1–7CrossRefPubMed Franklin D (2010) Forensic age estimation in human skeletal remains: current concepts and future directions. Legal Med 12(1):1–7CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Thevissen PW, Fieuws S, Willems G (2013) Third molar development: evaluation of nine tooth development registration techniques for age estimations. J Forensic Sci 58(2):393–397CrossRefPubMed Thevissen PW, Fieuws S, Willems G (2013) Third molar development: evaluation of nine tooth development registration techniques for age estimations. J Forensic Sci 58(2):393–397CrossRefPubMed
32.
go back to reference HELM S (1990) Relationship between dental and skeletal maturation in Danish schoolchildren. Eur J Oral Sci 98(4):313–317CrossRef HELM S (1990) Relationship between dental and skeletal maturation in Danish schoolchildren. Eur J Oral Sci 98(4):313–317CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Williams P, Bannister L, Warwick R (1995) The anatomical basis of medicine and surgery. Gray’s anatomy, 38th edn. Churchill Livingston, London, pp 619–622 Williams P, Bannister L, Warwick R (1995) The anatomical basis of medicine and surgery. Gray’s anatomy, 38th edn. Churchill Livingston, London, pp 619–622
34.
go back to reference Liversidge HM (2015) Controversies in age estimation from developing teeth. Ann Hum Biol 1-10 Liversidge HM (2015) Controversies in age estimation from developing teeth. Ann Hum Biol 1-10
35.
go back to reference Liversidge H et al (2006) Timing of Demirjian's tooth formation stages. Ann Hum Biol 33(4):454–470CrossRefPubMed Liversidge H et al (2006) Timing of Demirjian's tooth formation stages. Ann Hum Biol 33(4):454–470CrossRefPubMed
36.
go back to reference Thevissen P et al (2010) Human dental age estimation using third molar developmental stages: accuracy of age predictions not using country specific information. Forensic Sci Int 201(1):106–111CrossRefPubMed Thevissen P et al (2010) Human dental age estimation using third molar developmental stages: accuracy of age predictions not using country specific information. Forensic Sci Int 201(1):106–111CrossRefPubMed
37.
go back to reference Konigsberg LW et al (2008) Estimation and evidence in forensic anthropology: age‐at‐death. J Forensic Sci 53(3):541–557CrossRefPubMed Konigsberg LW et al (2008) Estimation and evidence in forensic anthropology: age‐at‐death. J Forensic Sci 53(3):541–557CrossRefPubMed
38.
go back to reference Baccino E et al (1999) Evaluation of seven methods of estimating age at death from mature human skeletal remains. J Forensic Sci 44:931–936CrossRefPubMed Baccino E et al (1999) Evaluation of seven methods of estimating age at death from mature human skeletal remains. J Forensic Sci 44:931–936CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Radiologic assessment of third molar tooth and spheno-occipital synchondrosis for age estimation: a multiple regression analysis study
Authors
Husniye Demirturk Kocasarac
Alper Sinanoglu
Marcel Noujeim
Dilek Helvacioglu Yigit
Canan Baydemir
Publication date
01-05-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-015-1298-8

Other articles of this Issue 3/2016

International Journal of Legal Medicine 3/2016 Go to the issue