The use of the Nicodemo, Moraes e Médici Filho Table of dental mineralization chronology to estimate the Paraibanos’ age

Abstract

To verify the chronological age hit rate of young people using the Nicodemo, Moraes and Medici Filho table. Methods: The sample consisted of 94 panoramic radiographs images of individuals aged 10 to 25 years. The mineralization table described in NOLLA’s study was used according to the chronological table of permanent teeth mineralization in Brazil which was created by Nicodemo, Moraes and Medici Filho. The research method was transversal and blind. For the statistical analysis absolute and percentage distributions (Descriptive statistical techniques) were obtained and the chi-square test (inferential statistical techniques) was used. The significance level used in the statistical tests was 5%. Results: The hit percentage in the age group described was higher when only four teeth were analyzed by panoramic radiography (81.9%) compared to the method of Nolla (4.3%). The third molars had the highest percentage of correct answers (66%) and the hit percentage was higher among individuals aged 10-15 years (94.4%) than those who were older than 15 years (65%). Conclusion: The Nolla’s method modified by Nicodemo, Moraes and Medici Filho was not effective for the age group studied, and in these cases the observation of the 3rd molar mineralization, in isolation, would be of great value and could help the forensic dentist in the estimated age of the individual.