Unraveling Age through Teeth: Amino Acid Racemization Accuracy in The Indian Population

Hemasha Daryani ¹, Vandana Shah ², Ramesh Nagarajappa ³, Kritika Daryani ^4*, Abhilash Shankaran ⁵

¹PhD Scholar, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara-391760, Gujarat, India.

²Professor & Head, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, KM Shah Dental College and Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara-391760, Gujarat, India.

³Vice Principal, Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, The Oxford Dental College, Bangalore-560068, Karnataka, India.

^4*Assistant Professor, Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Rishiraj College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal-462036, Madhya Pradesh, India.

⁵Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Mithila Minority Dental College and Hospital, Darbhanga-860001, Bihar, India.

*Corresponding Author: Kritika Daryani, Assistant Professor, Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Rishiraj College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal-462036, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Received: 14th Dec, 2025; Revised: 11th Feb 2026; Accepted: 12th Feb, 2026; Available Online: 28th Feb, 2026

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: Classical methods based on morphological, radiological or histological methods are being used which shows lesser precision and reliability with higher margin of error. There is a need for development of a biological tool at molecular level with higher precision and reliability and lesser margin of error. Hence, this study was aimed at estimating age using Amino Acid Racemization in Indian scenario.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 extracted teeth above 18 years of age divided equally into males and females with 10 permanent teeth each of lower central incisors, first premolars and second molars each. Data related to demographic details along with date of birth and type of tooth were collected and entered into specially designed proforma. Regression formula was derived and difference between chronological age and estimated age was calculated. GCMS was performed on each sample to quantify the L and D forms of aspartic acid in dentin in Aspartic acid racemization group.

Results: AAR showed no significant difference between chronological age and estimated age in any teeth. Mean error in estimated age was found to be less than 3 years in participants. In males, mean error was 0.44 years and in females, it was found to be 0.58 years. Least mean error was found to be in lower central incisors (0.48 years). Most reliable tooth for age estimation was found to be second molar in both males and females.

Conclusion: AAR was found to be a reliable method for estimating age in Indian population.

Keywords: Forensic, Amino acid racemization, chronological age, estimated age, age estimation tool, aspartic acid, dentin, GCMS.

How to cite this article: Daryani H, Shah V, Nagarajappa R, Daryani K, Shankaran A. Unraveling age through teeth: amino acid racemization accuracy in the Indian population. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5s): 395-401; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5s.54

Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: None