Abstract

Forensic age determination has evolved to be intriguingly signifi cant and relates to the challenges originating from globalisation as a result of a growing amount of foreign nationals with questionable birth date information and to identify victims who are unknown. Aim of this research was to evaluate the estimation of age through visualisation of periodontal ligament (PDL) around fully mineralised lower third molars in the Chennai population, and also to assess the 18-year age threshold using PDL visibility. The research was a retrospective analysis that involved 100 OPGs (orthopantomographs) from the archives of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology from 2021 to 2022 were analysed to determine PDL present around the mandibular third molars. Grading each mandibular third molar was done by two observers. IBM SPSS version 23 was used to statistically evaluate the gathered data. Among 100 study subjects, the mean age group was found to be 24.2 years. The frequency distribution of age was inferred from that of the study participants, 15% were under the age of 18, and 85% were above the age of 18. Males and girls with both lower third molars on the left and right had grades of stage 1 (34%), stage 2 (31%), and stage 3 (20%) at the age of 18. The 18-year threshold can be established by using periodontal ligament visibility, according to our fi ndings, starting from Stage 1. The relationship between the variables was examined using the Chi square test, which produced a very signifi cant p value of 0.00. Radiographic age evaluation was a simple, repeatable, non-invasive technique that can be applied to both living and deceased people. Our research indicated that less than 18 years old was the minimal age for Stage 0 in both males and females. At the onset of stages 1, 2, and 3, all males and females were at least eighteen years old. Stages 1, 2, or 3 indicate that the person is older than 18. The populace of Chennai would benefi t from this innovative method of age estimation for use in forensics.

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