Dental age estimation
Quality assurance
From
IOFOS with advice from:
Drs. Willems (
If you follow the
procedures:
1.
Black indicates required steps
2.
Blue indicates recommended steps (may be omitted or changed without further
explanation)
General
The purpose of the age estimation is to
1. Estimate the most likely age of the individual
2.
Express the likelihood of an official age, if it exists
3.
Express the likelihood of an alternative age, if it exists
All
available information should be used for the final estimate including:
1. The
expert's own assessment
2.
Information from the person on living conditions and diseases
3. Results
from scientific statistical methods
Background
information
Ask (if the
person is living) questions relevant for tooth development and maintenance such
as:
1.
Family economy
2.
Food and water supply
3.
Current or prior systemic diseases
4.
Previous dental problems and treatment
5.
Dental hygiene
Methods
1. Use as many appropriate parameters as possible
2. Make reference to the methods used
3. Use methods as originally described in the literature
4. Use as many teeth as possible
5.
Use, if possible, at least two independent statistical methods
Clinical examination (in both living and dead individuals)
1. Establish the identity of the person
2. Examine
the oral mucosa
3. Describe
the dentition
a.
teeth present in the mouth
b.
individual characteristics of the teeth
c.
the degree of attrition
d.
occlusion
e.
colour of the teeth
f.
staining and calculus
g.
periodontal condition
4. Assess
the age visually, based solely upon the teeth
Radiographic examination
1. Take radiographs appropriate to the methods you have decided to use
2. Describe the dentition and individual characteristics of the development of the teeth
Evaluation
1.
Assess if the methods are appropriate in relation to the individual
2.
Assess factors which may have influenced tooth development or ageing
3.
Assess especially if pathologic factors or other may have influenced the
findings
4. Make an assessment of the most likely chronological age
Edit: 12/02/2008