European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background
Third molar mineralization has been utilised frequently as a forensic age determination technique. The creation of novel strategies is crucial because this technique is ineffective after the age of 18, particularly when determining whether a person is older than 21. For this, it has been advised that the periodontal ligament be visible.
Materials and Methods
Periodontal ligament visibility was assessed in the lower third molars, using a sample of 53 orthopantomogramme, 32 which belonging to females and 21 belonging to males, from a patient visiting the saveetha dental college and hospitals, Chennai from December 2021 to March 2022 aged 17 to 31 years. A classification of four stages based on the visual phenomenon of disappearance of the periodontal ligament of fully mineralized third molars was used. For each stage, median, variance, minimal and maximal age were assessed.
Results:
The relationship between age and stage of periodontal ligament had a statistical significance for both sexes. In this population, stage 3 can be used to state that a male person is over 20 years-old for females, another marker should be used.
Conclusion:
This method demonstrates reliability because there is a less significant relationship between the age of the person and the PDL visibility.