Developing permanent tooth length as an estimate of age

Developing teeth are widely used to predict age in archaeology and forensic science. Regression equations of tooth Length for age is a direct method, however, data for permanent teeth is incomplete, The aims of this study wer e: (a) to calculate regression equations predicting age from tooth length o f all permanent teeth from birth to maturity, and (b) to evaluate the diffe rence between radiographic and actual tooth length. The sample studied (N=7 6, age range 0 to 19 years) was the Spiralfields juveniles of recorded age- at-death. Tooth length was measured from incisal tip to developing edge of crown or root of 354 dissected teeth. Data for upper and lower teeth were c ombined except for the lateral incisor. The least squares regression method was used to analyze the data for each tooth type; age being regressed agai nst tooth length for pre diction. For most tooth types, growth followed an S-shaped( poly nomial) curve with initial fast growth and a further growth spurt around the time of mid root formation. No difference was found betwee n radiographic and true tooth length. These regression equations provide an easy method of predicting age from any developing permanent tooth by measu ring tooth length from isolated teeth or from unmagnified, undistorted radi ographs.