Radiographic Correlation Between Cervical Vertebrae Maturation with Permanent Molar Calcification Stages in Age Estimation in Adults in Dakshina Kannada Population

Introduction: Age estimation is a critical aspect of forensic science, with various methods employed, including skeletal development, dental maturation, and anthropometric measurements. Cervical vertebrae maturation is a reliable biological marker of skeletal maturity, and its use in combination with other techniques can enhance accuracy in age estimation. Aim: This study aimed to categorize individuals as under or over 18 years of age by evaluating cervical vertebrae and permanent molar maturation in the Dakshina Kannada population. Materials and Methods: A total of 132 individuals were categorized into two groups: under 18 years and over 18 years. Data were collected using orthopantomograms (OPG) and lateral cephalograms (LC). Cervical vertebral age was determined using the McNamara and Franchi technique, while dental age was assessed using Nolla’s method. Results: Age was significantly associated with the shape, inferior border, and stage of cervical vertebrae, as confirmed by Pearson’s Chi‑square test. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that combining skeletal and dental maturity indices improved the accuracy of age classification. Conclusion: Cervical vertebrae maturation, in conjunction with dental age estimation, serves as a reliable method for accurately determining age, particularly for distinguishing individuals over and under 18 years. The analysis revealed no significant difference in correlation between males and females, Additionally, the findings indicate that cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) can provide a rough estimate of age, demonstrating its potential utility in age prediction with reasonable accuracy.