Wisdom from wisdom tooth: radiographic assessment of age using third molar – a retrospective review

Background: Establishing age is a major concern in forensic applications. Legal action can be executed appropriately only if the individual is known to be an adolescent or adult. Assessment of age is helpful in anthropological studies. Determining age using third molars is of greater importance from the radiographic images. It can be used as assessment markers in mid teens and adulthood, to establish age. Combination of third molar development with skeletal analysis is more valid in estimating age. Material and Method: A Google literature search was done on various studies done using third molar for estimation of age. Based on the available data, the details were analyzed and reviewed. Results and Conclusion: To conclude third molar plays as a valuable source in estimation of age when no other valid document is available. Assessment of age obtained from the images of radiograph of the developing dentition is more reliable and helpful since it is least affected by the difference in nutrition and other systemic illness.