263

Age Estimation

from Oral and

Dental Structures

edward F. harris
harry h. minCer
Kenneth m. anderson
david r. s enn

Contents

13.1 Introduction 263

13.2 Tooth Eruption/Tooth Emergence 264

13.2.1 Statistical Concerns 269

13.3 Tooth Mineralization 2 69

13.3.1 Primary Tooth Formation 270

13.3.2 Permanent Tooth Formation 271

13.3.3 Dental Age 2 75

13.4 Age Estimates for Adolescents and Adults 2 79

13.4.1 Gustafson Method 281

13.4.2 Root Transparency 2 84

13.4.3 Cementum Annulations 2 84

13.4.4 Tooth Wear 2 86

13.4.5 Third Molar Formation 2 88

13.4.6 Aspartic Acid Racemization 291

13.4.7 Enamel Uptake of Radioactive Carbon-14 2 92

13.5 Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations 2 93

References 295

13.1 Introduction

Here we provide an overview of the common dental methods used to esti-
mate the age of an individual. Our intent is to discuss several of the many
dental methods, but we make no claim of completeness in this overview.
More detailed information is available in other textbooks as well as in the
primary literature.1 – 4 The methods reviewed here are applicable to a range of
topics in the fields of physical anthropology, growth and development, and
forensic dentistry.

13