Abstract
ObjectivesAge estimation is widely applied in the field of orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and forensic science. Dental age estimation by the radiological method is frequently used because of its convenience and noninvasiveness. However, there are not enough suitable methods for eastern Chinese children. This study aimed to establish a modified formula for eastern Chinese children according to the Demirjian method and then compared the accuracy of the modified method with the Demirjian method and Willems method.Materials and methodsA total of 2367 dental panoramic radiographs from individuals aged 5–16 years of eastern China were collected as samples. Age estimation was conducted using the Demirjian and Willems methods. The polynomial curve fitting method was used to modify the Demirjian method to improve its application to the eastern Chinese children. The paired t test and accuracy ratio were used to compare the applicability of the modified methods with two commonly used methods.ResultsThe mean chronological age (CA) of the subjects was 11.20 ± 3.29 years for boys and 10.99 ± 3.12 years for girls. The mean difference values between the CA and dental age (DA) (CA–DA) using the Demirjian and Willems methods were 0.73 and 0.7 for boys, respectively, and both 0.79 for girls. The modified method using the polynomial curve fitting presented a smaller underestimation compared with CA for both boys (0.04 years) and girls (0.09 years), which showed a high suitability to Chinese children to some extent.ConclusionsThe Willems method was more accurate in estimating DA compared with the Demirjian method. However, the modified method was more accurate than the two methods; therefore, it can be used in eastern Chinese children.Clinical relevanceIt was thought to be a non-invasive, convenient, and efficient method to connect DA and CA. By estimating dental age, pediatrist, and orthodontists can better understand the development of permanent teeth and provide a more accurate orthodontic treatment time and treatment plan to children patients.
Highlights
Age estimation has been frequently applied in the field of orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, anthropology, and archaeology [1, 2]
This study aimed to establish a modified formula to assess dental age in eastern Chinese children based on an adaptation of the Demirjian method and compared the accuracy of the modified method with the Demirjian method and Willems method
The chronological age (CA) of each subject was calculated by subtracting the date of birth from the date of panoramic radiography, and the results were expressed as years with two decimal places
Summary
Age estimation has been frequently applied in the field of orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, anthropology, and archaeology [1, 2]. The Willems method simplifies the transformation steps of the Demirjian method, creating a new table. It showed that, as tested in different populations, including Somali [16], South Australian [18], Navi Mumbai [19], and Malaysian [20], the accuracy of estimating DA was consistently higher than that of the Demirjian method [21, 22]. This study aimed to establish a modified formula to assess dental age in eastern Chinese children based on an adaptation of the Demirjian method and compared the accuracy of the modified method with the Demirjian method and Willems method
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