Third molar observations in a sample of British male young offenders

Development, morphology and eruption of third molars are highly variable, and it is generally accepted that the emergence time is between the ages of 17 and 21 years. This study reports on variation in timing encountered in a sample of 155 young males (15-18 years) of British nationality who were detained at Her Majesty's Prison and Young Offenders Institution (HMP&YOI) Ashfield as young offenders. All 155 participants were self-reported in terms of their chronological age and their ethnic origin. Of the 17 year-olds, 68% of Black males displayed one or more erupted third molars compared to 39% of the White males. For those who were of mixed ancestry, 50% showed evidence of eruption of at least one third molar in this age group. This difference between Black and White ethnicity was further supported when missing first or second molars were taken into consideration. Whilst it has been suggested in the literature that ethnicity plays no major part in eruption timings for the third molars, this clinical observation poses some interesting questions about the accuracy of dental age assessment.