51 Volume 3 Number 2, April - June 2010 INTRODUCTION Dentistry and Medico-legal work share a common interface where a dentist is approached at times for resolving numerous issues related to identification, age estimation etc. One of the important and frequent requirements posed to the Eruption of 2 nd molar in age 12-14 years: A Clinical Assessment in Rural Maharashtra Mani Ameet* Bangal R.S.** Makhani C.S*** ABSTRACT Background: Dentition occurs in a well defined manner starting from age 6 months to 2 years with appearance of temporary teeth followed by appearance of permanent set of teeth from 5 to 25 years. Hence the assessment of chronology of appearance of various teeth is useful in age estimation. Age 12-14 years is of immense significance from forensic point of view. Materials & methods: The present study was under taken in the department of Periodontics, Rural Dental College, Loni, from 10 th Jun 2009 to 3 rd May 2010. The dentition was examined using Mouth Mirror, Probe and Torch. The individual data was filled in a predesigned proforma. Charting was done as per the Federation Dentaile Internationale system (F.D.I). Socioeconomic and dietary factors were also analyzed and their influence if any resulting in variation in the eruption of second molar was studied. Results: A total of 250 students studying in class 8 th to 10 th , of schools located in Loni and neighboring area of Pravara Nagar were assessed in the study, of which 142 were male and 108 were female. A correlation was found between the clinical eruption of 2 nd molar and age. Key words : Clinical eruption, Second Molar, Age estimation. Author’s Affiliations: *Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Periodontics, Rural Dental College, Loni, Ahmednagar, **Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Rural Medical College, Loni, Ahmednagar, ***P.G. Student, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Rural Medical College, Loni, Dist: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Reprint Requests: Dr. Ameet Mani, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Periodontics, Rural Dental College, Loni, Tal-Rahata, Dist: Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad medico-legal fraternity by the investigating authorities is to estimate age of a child, which holds great importance from the point of view of Criminal responsibility, kidnapping, consent, child labor etc 1-4 . The age estimation in these cases is usually carried out with the help of radiological assessment of various ossification centers, dental examination and physical examination. Numerous studies have been carried out to assess the age of a young individual by assessment of eruption of teeth 5-10 . Regional variations due to nutritional, environmental, racial, genetic and numerous other factors exist. Emphasis by survey committee for generation of regional data © 2009 Red Flower Publication Pvt. Ltd. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology Volume 3, Number 2, April - June 2010