In what scenarios is using the dative case to express age preferred in Russian, and what are the nuances compared to other methods?

Using the dative case to express age in Russian is preferred in formal settings or when emphasizing the experience or state of being that comes with age. The dative construction typically involves using the verb 'исполниться' (ispolnit'sya - to turn, perfective) or simply implying it, with the person's name or pronoun in the dative case. For example, 'Ему исполнилось 20 лет' (Yemu ispolnilos' 20 let) – 'He turned 20 years old' or, ....