Age Estimation by Eruption and Apical Foramina Closure of Second Premolar Teeth

One of the major arenas of Identification in Forensic Medicine is age-estimation. The sequence of both deciduous and permanent tooth formation and eruption is considered as an excellent age-marker. Medico-legal importance of age in Forensic Medicine jargon like criminal responsibility (12 years), judicial punishments for juveniles (16 years), rape (16 years) and kidnapping (10 and 16 years) etc. fall in the age group of 10–16 and as literature on age determination among Indians from root formation is rarely encountered, this study was undertaken to aid the investigating agencies in the above mentioned circumstances and also in Identification.

The present study was conducted to estimate the age by eruption and apical foramina closure of permanent mandibular second premolar teeth, and to bring out the differences among the two genders. IOPA (Intra Oral Peri-Apical) radiographs of 200 children (100 males and 100 females) of age ranging from 8–18 years were taken. Eruption of teeth into the oral cavity was the criterion. The assessment of complete root formation and apical foramina closure was done using the stage ‘H’ of Demirjian method.