Demirjian Stage Tooth Formation Results from a Large Group of Children

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present further data on the timing and variation of individual permanent mandibular teeth using Demirjian stages from a large collaboration. Seven mandibular permanent teeth were assessed from dental radiographs of healthy dental patients from Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, France, South Korea and Sweden (cross-sectional study; n = 9,371, 4,710 males, 4,661 females; aged 2–18). Data are presented in three ways, namely by tooth stage for males, females, and pooled sex. Mean age at entry of each tooth formation stage (maturity data) was calculated using logistic regression and modified for age prediction. The 51% confidence interval for age within stage of individual tooth stages was calculated for use in forensic age estimation where the burden of proof is on the balance of probabilities. Average age, standard deviation, standard error, 3rd and 97th percentile within tooth stage was calculated from a uniform age sample (171 for each year of age from 3 to 16, n = 2,394). Modified maturity data and average age within stage from the uniform age distribution are two new methods of age estimation.