Age estimation from physiological changes of teeth: A reliable age marker?

BACKGROUND: Age is an essential factor in establishing the identity of a person. Teeth are one of the most durable and resilient part of skeleton. Gustafson (1950) suggested the use of six retrogressive dental changes that are seen with increasing age. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the results and to check the reliability of modified Gustafson's method for determining the age of an individual. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 70 patients in the age group of 20-65 years, undergoing extraction were included in this present work. The ground sections of extracted teeth were prepared and examined under the microscope. Modified Gustafson's criteria were used for the estimation of age. Degree of attrition, root translucency, secondary dentin deposition, cementum apposition, and root resorption were measured. A linear regression formula was obtained using different statistical equations in a sample of 70 patients. RESULTS: The mean age difference of total 70 cases studied was ±2.64 years. Difference of actual and calculated age was significant and was observed at 5% level of significance, that is, t-cal > t-tab (t-cal = 7.72). P < 0.05, indicates that the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that Gustafson's method is a reliable method for age estimation with some proposed modifications.