What the study found
The study found that third molar agenesis, meaning the absence of one or more wisdom teeth, was significantly more common in White South Africans than in Black South Africans. It also found that missing third molars can affect dental age estimation, which uses tooth development to estimate age.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that population-specific reference data are needed to improve the accuracy and reliability of forensic dental age estimation. They also suggest that relying only on third molar development may lead to inaccurate age estimates in multi-ethnic populations.
What the researchers tested
The researchers did a retrospective analysis of orthopantomograms, which are panoramic dental X-rays, from 2,536 people: 1,688 Black South Africans and 848 White South Africans. They examined third molar agenesis by tooth position, sex, population group, and birth cohort, and used statistical analyses to look for differences within and between groups.
What worked and what didn't
Third molar agenesis was reported in 28.42% of White South Africans and 6.81% of Black South Africans. At least one missing third molar was found in 14.92% of males and 13.33% of females, with slightly higher prevalence in the maxillary arch than in the mandibular arch; the abstract reports no consistent sex- or side-related differences. The birth cohort analysis showed a declining trend in agenesis over time.
What to keep in mind
The summary does not provide details on how age estimation accuracy changed in specific cases, only that agenesis can compromise reliability. It is also limited to the South African groups studied and to the retrospective sample of dental X-rays described in the abstract.
Key points
- Third molar agenesis was much more common in White South Africans than in Black South Africans.
- At least one missing third molar was found in 14.92% of males and 13.33% of females.
- Agenesis was slightly more frequent in the maxillary arch than in the mandibular arch.
- The study reports no consistent sex-related or side-related differences.
- The authors say population-specific reference data are needed for more accurate forensic dental age estimation.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Third molar agenesis differs strongly between South African population groups
- Authors:
- N. Angelakopoulos, R. Merdietio Boedi, Ademir Franco, S. De Luca
- Institutions:
- Diponegoro University, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Universidad de Oviedo
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-03
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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