Drawing New Formulaes for Dental Age Estimation: An Attempt at Extending Kvaal's Technique

Abstract

Various methods like Gustafson's method, Demirjian's method, Nolla's method, Kvaal's method and amino acid racemisation have been used to estimate age. Present study aims to determine regression formulae and to check its accuracy in calculating age using Kvaals's method on OPGs for a specific population and to check the applicability and reliability of the derived formulaes on our specified population. Sixty subjects aged between 20 to 60 years, were randomly selected and digital OPGs were taken using standard procedures. Measurements were recorded from which linear regression formulas were obtained and age was calculated. Statistically, the coefficient of determination (R²) was strongest when the ratios for all 6 teeth were included (0.244) and weakest when mandibular first premolar used alone (0.069). Among the mandibular and maxillary teeth, maxillary teeth showed better coefficient of determination (R² = 0.181) The derived formulas when applied to a 15 randomly selected subject's IOPARs gave difference between calculated and chronological age within the acceptable limits. Thus, it proved the feasibility of Kvaal's method of age estimation in adults using orthopantomograph in the selected population.