# The temporal course of third molar mineralization in a black South African population

## TL;DR

This study examines how third molars develop in black South Africans aged 12–26, finding that mineralization occurs later than in other populations.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on third molar mineralization stages specific to black South Africans, highlighting later onset compared to other populations.

## Key findings

- Mean ages for third molar mineralization stages G and H are above 18 years for both sexes.
- Minimum age for stage H is 17.9 years for tooth 38 in males and 18.1 years for tooth 48 in females.
- The study recommends experienced examiners for accurate stage classification due to potential misclassification risks.

## Abstract

There are only a few studies available on the temporal course of third molar mineralization in sub-Saharan Africans. In the present study, 904 orthopantomograms (OPGs) of self-classified black South Africans aged 12–26 years with confirmed dates of birth were examined. 748 OPGs showed at least one evaluable mandibular third molar. The stages of mineralization for teeth 38 and 48 were determined by consensus according to the stage classification by Demirjian et al. (Hum Biol 45:221–227, 1). For stages D to H, the minimum age, maximum age, mean age with standard deviation, and median age with lower and upper quartiles are presented separately for each sex. The mean ages for both sexes for both teeth are above 18 years of age from stage G onwards. The minimum ages in stage H are 17.9 years (tooth 38) and 18.0 years (tooth 48) for males. For females, these values are 18.1 and 17.2 years, respectively. Since the minimum ages are above the values reported in other studies, they cannot be recommended for age assessment practice. In order to avoid stage misclassifications, which are particularly problematic when applying the minimum age principle, experienced examiners should make stage classifications in future studies consensually by.