Estimation of age through clinical observation of tooth parts in forensic dentistry. Literature review

Abstract

In forensic dentistry, teeth provide valuable information when estimating an individual's age. Clinical observations of factors such as the development of dentition, loss, teeth wear, and the presence of dental diseases can assist in estimating a person's age. The importance of estimation lies in several aspects, like identifying human remains in crimes, natural disasters, or armed conflicts. Objective: To describe through a literature review the relevance of age estimation by clinical observation of dental pieces in forensic dentistry. Materials and methods: PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Dialnet. Conclusions: Upon completing the literature review, it was concluded that age estimation through clinical observation of teeth in forensic dentistry is fundamental when identifying unknown individuals or determining age in legal cases.