Is there a Need for an India Specific Dental Age Estimation Formula for Children and Adolescents? - A Critical Review - Abstract
Age estimation plays a prime role in forensic identification especially in absence of concerned documents and in unknown dead or living individuals. Its importance is priceless in a country like India where in, on one hand birth records of 10 million children every year go unregistered and on the other hand there is significant rise in involvement of minors in various crimes. Ideal method of age estimation is a constant search for the forensic odontologist. Delivery of justice can be appropriately made if the age is determined accurately and hence the accurate method of age estimation plays a pivotal role in correct justice being done. Literature provides many population specific methods of dental age estimation. Further validation and modification of these models is required in various populations before considering it for legal applications. The present article reviews the most commonly used radiographic methods of age estimation in children and adolescents and their accuracy in general and in Indian population in particular.