30 years of the ABFO study: Reproduction in a Brazilian sample

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Dental Age Estimation
• Human Growth and Development

Background:

• The American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFO) study on third molar development is a foundational reference for dental age estimation.
• External validation of established developmental standards is crucial for ensuring their applicability across diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To externally validate the ABFO third molar developmental stages in a Brazilian cohort.
• To establish reference tables and probability measures for dental age estimation in Brazilian individuals based on third molar development.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 1,087 panoramic radiographs from Brazilian females and males aged 14 to 22.9 years.
• Classification of third molar development using Mincer's adaptation of Demirjian's system (stages A-H).
• Calculation of mean chronological age per stage and probability of individuals being ≥18 years.

Main Results:

• High agreement (approx. 90%) in third molar development between maxillary and mandibular teeth.
• Males generally showed slightly earlier development (0.5 years) than females.
• Stage G in any third molar significantly increased the probability of an individual being 18 years or older.
• Maxillary third molars demonstrated higher predictive accuracy in age estimation models.

Conclusions:

• The ABFO third molar development standards are reproducible in the studied Brazilian population.
• The generated reference tables and probability measures enhance the accuracy of dental age estimation for this demographic.
• This validation supports the use of third molar development in forensic and clinical age assessments for Brazilians.