A forensic odontologist is asked to estimate age in an adult skeleton aged approximately 35–55 years where radiographic tooth root translucency (secondary dentine, root resorption, periodontal recession) has been assessed. This multifactorial method combining six dental age changes is known as:
- A Schour and Massler method
- B Demirjian method
- C Gustafson's method ✓
- D Lamendin's method
Explanation
Gustafson's method assesses six regressive dental age changes: attrition, periodontitis, secondary dentine deposition, cementum apposition, root resorption, and root translucency — each scored 0–3 for a maximum combined score of 23, which is then plotted against age using a regression equation. It is the gold standard multifactorial method for adults. Demirjian's method assesses developmental stages of teeth in children under 18. Schour and Massler's method uses eruption timing. Lamendin's method uses only root translucency and periodontal recession on single-rooted teeth.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.