Step 1: Gustafson's method is used to estimate age in persons older than about 21 years, based on six progressive physiological changes in the dental tissues: attrition, periodontosis (paradentosis), secondary dentine formation, cementum apposition, root resorption and transparency of the root.
Step 2: Of these six criteria, transparency of the root dentine is the single most reliable and accurate parameter. It appears after about 30 years of age and increases steadily with age as minerals are deposited in the dentinal tubules, making the dentine progressively transparent.
Step 3: Because this change is steady and consistent with advancing age, transparency of the tooth (root) is the most accurate of Gustafson's parameters. Hence option d is correct.
Step 4: Attrition, periodontosis and root resorption are also used but are more variable. Attrition depends on the functional use of teeth and diet, periodontosis is influenced by oral hygiene, and root resorption may be pathological, so they are less reliable and are incorrect choices.