Determination of age from cemental incremental lines for forensic dentistry

Determination of age from cemental incremental lines was evaluated in intact teeth obtained from 17 individuals aged 23-77 years. Mineralized 100 microm cross sections were subjected to one of three treatments: unstained, stained with Villanueva's blood stain, and stained with acridine orange. Ideal areas were selected by light microscopy and photographed. Countability of incremental lines from photographic enlargements were evaluated. The average number of years required for the eruption of a particular tooth was added to the incremental lines count to determine the estimated age for that individual. Results obtained from unstained mineralized 100 microm thick cross sections using differential interference microscopy (Nomarsky) provided the most countable lines. The accuracy and repeatability of the method is not dependent on tooth type or location, but on the average obtained from making as many counts as possible. This method can be applied to general populations regardless of systemic or periodontal health.