The accuracy of simple ordinal scoring of tooth attrition in age assessment

Tooth wear is frequently used as a method of ageing skeletal remains. Fundamental to this method is the ability to measure the amount of tooth wear. The Brothwell chart based on the Miles method of ageing, uses simple ordinal scoring and is frequently used by archeologists. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the accuracy of simple ordinal scoring in recording tooth wear and ageing skulls. A group of Chinese skulls of known age at death was used. The age range was from 16 to 60 years. A single score per molar tooth was used to record occlusal wear. The data were analysed by regression methods using BMDP statistical software. The results showed that molar tooth wear continues throughout the life of the individual. The first molar teeth wear significantly more quickly than do second molar teeth. Use of a simple ordinal score method for recording wear gives an inaccurate estimate of an individual skull's age at death with a very wide 95% confidence interval.