AbstractAge assessment is one of the important parameters for establishing the identity of a person. Among the numerous methods developed over the years for estimation of age are, changes in the sternal end of ribs, analysis of cranial suture closure (ecto & endocranial closure), changes in the symphysis pubis, secondary changes in the vertebrae, appearance/fusion of various ossification centers and evaluation of various stages of development/eruption of permanent teeth. Evaluation of various stages of eruption of permanent teeth can be done radiologically and morphologicaly, and both give valuable data for assessment of age of an individual.The present study was conducted in the age group of 15-24 years in 252 subjects, in the Department of Periodontics, Rural Dental College, Loni from 4th May 2009 to 10th May2010.Orthopantomograms of all the subjects were taken and the various stages of eruption of teeth which were evaluated by using Demirijian classification. The data generated was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Total 252 cases selected for study out of which 147 were males and 105 were females. Orthopantomograms of all the subjects were taken and the various stages of eruption of teeth which were evaluated by using Demirijian classification.The data generated was analyzed using SPSS software and had a significant correlation with assessment of age.
Key words: Third molar, Eruption., Age.