Teeth are the most durable structures in the human body. The pattern of their development has been used as a credible technique of age determination of unidentified bodies. Dental age estimation is by comparison of the dental status of an individual with published dental surveys. The third molars are the last teeth to erupt and are regarded as the most variable in the dentition. Nevertheless, radiographs depicting their growth have been used to determine the chronological age. A case for actual need for age estimation using a developing third molar is presented here.
Law enforcing authorities need to provide a scientific basis for the identification of any unknown individual. In recent years, dental records comparison has developed into one such credible method of confirming the identity of a deceased. This method is however restricted as dentists are not making and maintaining adequate records of their patients. Fortunately the advent of inexpensive cameras and print processing procedures has enabled the availability of ample antemortem photographs. Photographs in which a person expresses his/her teeth 'gleefully' has provided a sound scientific basis for the identification by comparing dental characteristics of the deceased.