Third molar as an age indicator in young individuals.

The authors developed a method of chronological age estimation in young individuals on the basis of third molar developmental stage. The new method is based on the finding that time course of third molar development depends on the number of assessed third molars. That means, in individuals with 1 to 3 third molars agenesis the development of founded third molars is delayed in comparison with individuals having all third molars present. This difference is statistically significant. Retardation of development is directly proportional to the number of congenitally missing third molars. Chronological age corresponding to individual stages of third molar development was calculated separately for individuals with all four third molars present and separately for individuals with 1 to 3 third molars agenesis. With this division it was possible to decrease the error of age estimation to 1.63 years in the group of individuals with all four third molars present and to correct the age underestimation in individuals with agenesis. The elaborated method of chronological age estimation in young individuals shows incomparably much more accuracy in contrary to methods used in adults. In addition this new method is distinguishing by maximum simplicity.