Abstract
Objective: To test the modified Demirjian's method of dental age estimation on the South Indian population and correlate it with the patient's chronological age . Material and Methods: This retrospective radiographic study was performed on digital panoramic radiographs taken during a one-year duration. Radiographs of patients in the age range from 8 to 18 years were included in the study. The radiographs were examined and according to the stage of the crown and root status of the left side mandibular teeth. The stage of calcification was observed for eight teeth in the mandibular arch and was recorded in a specially designed proforma. Each rated tooth with stage was converted into a score using a conversion table specified for girls and boys. Results: 224 digital panoramic radiographs were retrieved from the radiologic database. Out of total study sample, 49.5% (n=111) were boys and 50.5% (n=113). The mean chronological and estimated dental age using dental maturity scores resulted in an overestimation of 3 years and eight months. Also, it was noted that there was a strong positive association between chronological (real) and dental age . Conclusion: It was observed that there was a strong correlation between chronological and dental age. A new formula for determining the chronological age from the estimated dental age was derived. Further studies on a larger population may prove the reliability of this age estimation method.
Highlights
Age estimation may not always be important only in crime scenes, natural disasters, and accidents
Material and Methods: This retrospective radiographic study was performed on digital panoramic radiographs taken during a one-year duration
Apart from this, instances of serious crimes committed by juveniles, intentional manipulation of the definite date of birth for procuring jobs, selections in sports and higher education have increased the need for accurate chronological age estimation methods for legal considerations and forensic science [1]
Summary
Age estimation may not always be important only in crime scenes, natural disasters, and accidents. Demirjian et al [2] put out Demirjian’s method of age estimation in the year 1973, which subsequently became the most popularly applied method for dental age estimation [2,3]. This method originally used seven teeth of the mandibular left quadrant. The downside of this technique was that it did not take the third molar into consideration. Demirjian too published a modified version of his method to overcome the deficiencies of his original technique He added the staging that took the third molars into consideration [4]
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