Correlating the Age Estimated by Nolla's Method and Modified Demirjian Method with Cervical Vertebral Maturation Index: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Among various methods of dental age (DA) estimation, Demirjian method and Nolla’s method are commonly used. One of the methods of determining cervical vertebral morphology was given by Hassel and Farman. Indian age-specific modified Demirjian method by Acharya has not been utilized in the Hyderabad population, and the age derivation information is sparse. Objectives: To correlate the DA using modified Demirjian’s method and Nolla’s method using orthopantomograph with skeletal maturation by cervical vertebral maturation index (CVMI) method using lateral cephalogram. They were compared and correlated for assessing chronological age (CA) and determining the accuracy. Materials and Methods: Among 200 boys and girls (100 each) between 6 and 21 years, the DA was evaluated using orthopantomogram by Ashith Acharya’s modified Demirjian method and also by Nolla’s method. The skeletal maturation was assessed by CVMI method given by Hassel and Farman using lateral cephalogram. These were compared and correlated with CA. The data derived were statistically analyzed using SPSS software 20.0 version. Results: The maximum underestimation of age was found within the age group of 19–19.9 years using Ashith Acharya’s modified Demirjian method and 18-18.9 years using Nolla’s method with median values of −5.05 and −5.03, respectively. Statistically significant difference was found between CAs and cervical vertebral maturation stages in both genders (P = 0.000). The study showed that girls had a late dental development compared to corresponding cervical maturation. Conclusions: The methods of age estimation were not reliable in predicting the accurate age in the Indian population.