Dental age estimation in children and adolescents

Age estimation forms an important part of forensic medicine and odontology for identification of deceased victims and also for crimes and accidents. A forensic age estimate of a living person for the purpose of criminal prosecution should consist of: a physical examination that also records anthropometric data, any age-relevant developmental disorders and signs of sexual maturation, an X-ray examination of the left hand, dental examination that records dentition status and evaluates an orthopantomograph.1 Age estimation can be done by using teeth, ossification of bones, height and weight data and miscellaneous data.