Applicability of Demirjian’s Method and Modified Cameriere’s Methods for Dental Age Assessment in Children

Abstract

Tooth development is extensively used for age estimation as a part of forensic science. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of Demirjian's, Cameriere's and modified Cameriere's population-specific regression equation methods in the dental age estimation of West Godavari children. The study included orthopantomograms (OPG) of 60 children of West Godavari district with age group between 9 to 14 years on whom all the three methods were used for age estimation. The OPG were traced with the help of a tracing paper and lead pencil and the appropriate dimensions were measured. Age estimation was done based on canine calcification stage as per Demirjian's method and measurements of the seven permanent left mandibular teeth using Cameriere's formula and modified population-specific regression equation obtained for the South Indian population from Cameriere's formula. The resultant data were subjected to statistical analysis by student's paired t-test. The estimated age was closer to the chronological age when the modified Cameriere's population-specific regression equation was used (p=0.68); whereas, the difference was more in Demirjian's method (p=0.008) followed by Cameriere's method (p<0.001). The method using modified Cameriere's population-specific regression equation exhibited a least significant difference in chronological and dental age assessment in children of West Godavari district as compared to the other two methods.