Radiographic Evaluation of Third Molar Development in Relation to Chronological Age among South Indian Population

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to correlate the radiologic development status of third molars with
that of chronologic age specifically among individuals belonging to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district
in the age group of 16-22 years.
Method: A total of 152 orthopantomograms (OPG) were evaluated to assess the development status and
scored using the evaluation method suggested my Gleiser and Hunt. Intra- and Inter-observer reliability
was evaluated using the k statistics. Statistical test used were multiple regression analysis and Pearson
correlation coefficients.
Results and Conclusion: The formula to determine chronological age among females is Age= 13.416 +
(-0.873 Upper Right (UR)) + 0.803 Upper left (UL) + 0.536 Lower left ( LL) + 0.362 Lower Right (LR)
with standard deviation of 1.61, and for males is Age = 12.766 (-0.187 UR) + 0.748 UL + 0.873 LL + (-0.541
LR) with SD of 1.57.