Third-molar agenesis shifts mandibular second-molar mineralisation timeline: An orthopantomographic study in South Indian children
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In many jurisdictions, the 14-year threshold is a legally significant factor in determining criminal responsibility and related decisions. We investigated whether third-molar agenesis is associated with differences in the mineralisation stage of the mandibular second molar in South Indian children. DESIGN: Orthopantomograms from 570 children (240 males, 330 females; 10-14.99 years) were staged using Demirjian A to H criteria. Descriptive comparisons were supplemented with a proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression, modelling second-molar stage as the ordered outcome, with agenesis extent, age, and sex as predictors. Results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs). RESULTS: Each additional year of age was associated with substantially higher odds of being in a more advanced second-molar stage (aOR 5.41, 95 % CI 4.47-6.56). Males had lower odds than females of being in a higher stage (aOR 0.58, 95 % CI 0.41-0.81). Relative to children with no third-molar agenesis, the odds of being in a higher second-molar stage were progressively lower with greater agenesis: one missing (aOR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.31-0.91), two missing (aOR 0.39, 95 % CI 0.24-0.62), three missing (aOR 0.26, 95 % CI 0.11-0.62), and all four missing (aOR 0.04, 95 % CI 0.02-0.09). CONCLUSION: Third-molar agenesis was associated with less advanced mandibular second-molar stages after accounting for age and sex. Agenesis status and extent may be relevant for the 14-year threshold. Future work should develop and externally validate prediction models that integrate third molar agenesis to improve accuracy and minimise misclassification.
Source: Archives of Oral Biology
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,760
OpenAlex ID: W4416958411