Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture
Published on: November 13, 2013
Tooth development standards for South Australia
C J McKenna1, H James, J A Taylor
1Forensic Odontology Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Background:
Chronological age, as recorded by registration of birth date, is referred to throughout an individual's life. This information is relevant in medical and dental practice for evaluating developmental progress, for educational purposes, and in legal matters, particularly in the application of criminal law. The absence of birth date information raises particular concerns, and estimates of chronological age are often required. Standards of dental maturation may be used to estimate age, but they have been shown to be gender and population sensitive.
Methods:
The revised Demirjian' system of dental age estimation was applied to a sample of 615 South Australian children in order to assess its accuracy.
Results:
The results of our study have shown that the Demirjian system is of limited accuracy when used to estimate the age of South Australian children.
Conclusions:
Generation of new standard curves, specific to the Australian population, is indicated.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota