AGE ESTIMATION USING THE PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT SPACE VISIBILITY IN MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR ASSESSED WITH DIGITAL PERIAPICAL RADIOGRAPHY

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Trelia Boel, Dennis, Rini Octavia Nasution, Annisa Fakhirah

Abstract

Olze et al (2010) introduced a method of estimating age by the visibility of the periodontal ligament space which is specialized with conditions where the root formation of mandibular third molars has been finished. This research aims to assessing the appropriateness of the periodontal ligament space visibility method with digital periapical radiography in estimating age. The design of this research is analytic observational with cross sectional approach. This research involved 21 samples aged 19-24 years, consisting of 7 male and 14 female. The research was done in the Radiology Installation, Faculty of Dentistry, University of North Sumatra. Observations were made on the periodontal ligament space of mandibular third molars as seen from radiographs and determined the periodontal ligament space visibility stage of each tooth. Finally, age estimation according to the visibility stage could be given. The results of the reserach found that there was a significant difference in age estimation using the periodontal ligament space visibility method with digital periapical radiographs and chronological age (p=0,000). The correlation test result showed that the relationship between the stages of the periodontal ligament space visibility and the chronological age had a very low correlation coefficient (r = 0.028). Based on the results of these statistical tests, it can be stated that periodontal ligament space visibility method through digital periapical radiographs was deemed not suitable for use in estimating age.

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