Applicability of Willems method of dental age estimation to the population of Raichur city of Karnataka

Abstract

Introduction: Dental age is one of the parameter for the growth assessment and tooth calcification provides a better measure of dental age in comparison to tooth eruption. There are numerous methods available in literature to determine dental age based on tooth calcification. Nowadays Willem’s method is gaining wider recognition because many studies have proved its accuracy in various populations in Western countries but very few studies are available about its applicability to Karnataka State population (South Indian Population). Hence this study has been carried out to test the applicability of Willem’s method to the population (children) of Raichur city of Karnataka state (south Indian population). Materials and Methods: Sample size of 250 south Indian children in 6-13 years age group participated in the study out of which there were 111 females and 139 were males. Dental age was calculated using Willems method and chronological age was determined using date of birth. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and students” t” test was applied for statistical analysis of the data. Results: There was positive correlation between two ages in both genders. 0.06 years was the mean difference in total male sample and 0.07 years was the mean difference in total female sample. Conclusion: The mean difference between chronological and dental age was very minimal and both ages were positively correlated thus indicating that Willem’s method was accurately applicable to the children of Raichur city of Karnataka state (south India). To support our observations we recommend further studies with larger sample size. Keywords: Chronological age, Dental age, Willem’s method.