Evaluation of chronological age based on third molar development in the Spanish population

A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess chronological age estimation based on the stages of third lower molar development, following the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian et al. The final sample consisted of 1,054 orthopantomograms from Spanish individuals of known chronological age (range 14-21 years) and gender (462 males and 592 females). Results showed a stronger correlation for males (r(2)=0.54) than for females (r(2)=0.45). Root formation occurred earlier in males than females, in stages 5, 6 and 7. The mean difference between chronological and estimated age was -0.10 years (+/-1.23 SD) for left third molar, and -0.07 years (+/-1.22 SD) for right third molar, with slight variations regarding sex. Comparative tables are provided regarding medicolegal questions concerning age 18 prediction in the Spanish population, showing that legal age is reached in stage 7 (G) by women and in stage 8 (H) by men. No differences have been observed between sides (p<0.0001). Differences were observed between Spaniards and other previously studied populations. Third molar maturity takes place earlier in the Spanish than French-Canadian, Scandinavian, American, German, Japanese and South African populations and is more similar to US Hispanics in root development.