In Gustafson's method of dental age estimation from a single tooth, which of the following criteria assesses the translucency of the root dentine?

• A Attrition
• B Secondary dentine deposition
• C Root transparency ✓
• D Cementum apposition

Explanation

Gustafson (1950) described six age-related changes in a single tooth: Attrition (A), Periodontosis (P), Secondary dentine deposition (S), Cementum apposition (C), Root resorption (R), and Root transparency (T) — the mnemonic APSCRT. Root transparency specifically refers to the progressive sclerosis of dentinal tubules with advancing age, starting from the root apex and moving coronally; this renders root dentine translucent under transmitted light. Each criterion is scored 0–3, scores summed, and age calculated from Gustafson's regression formula. Root transparency is considered one of the most reliable single criteria correlated with age.

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.