Estimation of age through cementum annulations in different age groups
Abstract
Forensic odontology is a branch of dentistry which aids in identifying human after homicides, accidents, wars or natural calamities.1 Age is a vital information in identification of dead bodies where no circumstantial evidence is available and visual recognition is not possible. Age estimation plays an important role in identifying dead bodies in connection with crimes.2
A gradual structural change which occurs in teeth throughout life is the basis for age estimation. The enamel, dentin, and cementum that constitute teeth are used to estimate the chronologic ages of unidentified individuals. Dentin color, attrition and periodontal disease can be influenced by external factors and environment but cementum annulations, apical root dentin translucency are least influenced by them. Cementum is a connective tissue that surrounds the roots of the tooth and in ground section it appears as incremental layers, resulting in appearance of concentric lines (Salter’s lines) and this line can be equated with years. 1,3 As age increases, cementum increases in width mainly in apical third of root and it can be used for estimation of age in forensic odontology.4
Each pair of lines will corresponds to one year of life and it constitutes a biological record that can be used to estimate the age of an individual. Acellular cementum which is present in the cervical area is less influenced by environmental factors and stresses, so it can estimate the age better than cellular cementum which is seen on apical third of root of the teeth.1,3
Therefore we designed a study to determine the correlation between cementum annulations and chronological age, and to assess whether this could be used to determine the age of unknown.
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