Dental Age Estimation

Age estimation is a current focus of forensic research. The assessment of age is useful in planning orthodontic and pedodontic treatment, in pediatric endocrinology, anthropology, archaeology, paleodontology, clinical dentistry, forensic medicine and forensic odontology. Its use is increasing in both civil and criminal proceedings and it also aids in the identification of age at death of a deceased individual in mass disasters and natural calamities. Age estimation is also providing valuable information when birth date is lacking or doubted as in people who provide inaccurate details of ages as in case of illegal immigrants. In certain communities the chronological age of living people bears significant importance regarding employment, marriage and social benefits. In this book an attempt has been made to present the various dental age estimation methods in adults published up to day. The approaches, the advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed.