Correlation of Left Mandibular Third Molar Development and Chronological Age

The aim of this study is to evaluate the development of the left mandibular third-molar development with modified Demirjian method and its relation to chronological age. A total of 1653 digital panoramic radiographs of healthy individuals aged between 7 and 23 years who visited Yonsei University Dental hospital were selected. The developmental status of the left mandibular third molars was assessed using dental maturity scoring proposed by Demirjian et al. The mean age of the first appearance of mineralization, complete crown formation, and complete root formation were around 9, 14, 21 years respectively. Statistically significant differences between males and females in the development stage of D and G were revealed that crown formation and root length completion were attained earlier in males than in females. There was significant positive relationship between age and third molar development in both sexes, and new formula was presented to estimate age of children and adolescents based on their developmental stages of third molars. In this study, the use of left mandibular third molar as a developmental marker is appropriate, and age estimation can be attained with dental maturity stage.