Applicability of Modified Demirjian and Modified Fanning and Moores Method of Age Estimation in an Outpatient Population

Introduction: Age estimation is one of the most important factors in forensic science, as it helps in solving criminal cases, and helps in identification of deceased person. Predicting of age is very crucial in the forensic context. The third molar is the only tooth developing during this chronological period and has been used to estimate minority/majority status (</=18 years). It has a protracted time of development.Materials and Methods: Demirjian's grading has been used to assess third molar development although the method was not originally intended for evaluating this tooth. Demirjian incorporated a third molar assessment in a recent modification and replaced the alphabetical grading (A to H) with a numerical scale (0 to 9). Moore's Fanning and Hunt method was also assessed; it was mainly based on 14 stages of tooth development, and the values were statistically analysed. Aim of the study is to compare and evaluate the accuracy of the Demirjian method and Moore's and Fanning method of age estimation of lower 3rd molars (38) in an outpatient population.The study was conducted using 100 OPGs of 50males and 50 females. The Method used for calculating the dental age was the Demirjian method and Modified Moore's Fanning and Hunt methods.Results: The values were statistically analysed, and polynomial regression graphs were added for accuracy of both methods.Conclusion: The study shows that modified Fanning and Moores methods and Demirjian methods shows high accuracy in age estimation