Forensic Determination of Dental Age by Cementum Thickness of Human Teeth

Authors

  • Minja Birimiša School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
  • Jelena Dumančić Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
  • Marin Vodanović Department of Dental Anthropology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
  • Sandra Anić Milošević Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb and University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
  • Marina Marić School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
  • Hrvoje Brkic Department of Dental Anthropology & Chair of Forensic Dentistry School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb & University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia

Keywords:

forensic science, forensic anthropology, forensic dentistry, age estimation, dental cementum

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess correlation between the known chronological age and the dental cementum thickness (DCT) in male and female subjects in different age groups. Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 57 donor teeth of both sexes. Teeth were classified by donors’ sex and divided into three age groups: 10-19, 30-39 and 60-69 years. Tooth roots were cut with transverse ground sections in the apical, middle, and cervical thirds. DCT measurements were made on photomicrographs of light microscope. The correlation between DCT and the chronological age was calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: A positive correlation was found (r=0.47, p <0.001) between DCT and age of the donor. DCT decreased from apical to cervical ground section (median [IQR] apical section 216.72 [128.25-375.00] μm, middle section 158.44 [87.66-284.90] μm; cervical section 96.60 [70.05-165.59] µm). DCT variability was influenced by sex, number of tooth roots and the condition of the tooth crown. The influence differed depending on the location of the section, being most prominent cervically. Conclusion: The present study showed correlation of DCT with age, with significant influence of sex, number of tooth roots, condition of the tooth crown and location of the root section

Author Biography

Hrvoje Brkic, Department of Dental Anthropology & Chair of Forensic Dentistry School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb & University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia

School of Dental Medicine

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Published

2021-10-24

How to Cite

Birimiša, M., Dumančić, J., Vodanović, M., Anić Milošević, S., Marić, M., & Brkic, H. (2021). Forensic Determination of Dental Age by Cementum Thickness of Human Teeth. The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology - JFOS, 39(3), 41: 48. Retrieved from https://ojs.iofos.eu/index.php/Journal/article/view/1397

Issue

Section

Age Estimation