| Human teeth are madeof the most durable material in the skeleton, which means they can be the only source of information to estimate age-at-death in forensic and archaeological investigations. Relatively predictable dental formation and eruption patterns allow investigators to provide reasonably reliable age estimates for infants, children, and young adults. However, once the adult dentition is fully formed, age estimation relies primarily on dental wear patterns, which are highly variable amongindividuals and populations.The purpose of this research is to test the accuracy ofcementochronologyconducted on pathological dentition from modern, known-age individuals. Cementochronologyis anage estimation method based onthe examination of cementum–the material that covers the root surface of teethand continues developing throughout lifein uniform layers called tooth cementum annulations (TCA). This study assesses whether anovice observer can consistently obtain TCA counts, if different diseasedteeth within a single individual provide consistent age estimates, and, ultimately, if this method offers sufficiently accurate and preciseestimates to be applicablein forensic contexts.KEYWORDS:cementum, cementochronology, age estimation, biological profile, dental anthropology, dental pathology, periodontal disease |