Scientists Relate Age, Tooth Cells

Through the use of the electron microscope and X-ray microscopy, scientists at the School of Dental Medicine have observed the nature of certain dental tissue changes which give a fairly accurate estimate of an individual's age by examination of single teeth.

According to John Nalbandian, research fellow in dental medicine, the study centered on changes in the degree of transparency in the dentin or solid portion of the root of the tooth. When examined beneath the electron microscope, thin sections of dentin showed an accumulation of minerals from which the age of the individual could be determined within an accuracy range of 7.9 years.

Changes in the root portion of the teeth, said Nalbandian, appear to be the most biological age change.