Abstract
ABSTRACT%Dental age is important for treatment planning in the specialities of pedodontics and orthodontics. Although, Demirjian's method was considered standard for dental age estimation, it may not be reliable for all population.Aim: The goal of the study was to evaluate the reliability of Demir-jian's, Haavikko's and Willems method of dental age estimation methods in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, India) children.Study design: One hundred and two children of 6 to 14 years old who underwent panaromic digital radiography for routine diagnostic purposes were included. Dental age was calculated using Demirjian's, Haavikko's and Willems methods and compared with chronologic age for each patient.Results: Dental age showed a significant overestimation by Demirjian's method with a mean difference of 0.55 year and underestimation by Haavikko's and Willems methods with a mean difference of 1.95 and 0.20 year respectively when compared with chronologic age. The mean difference between dental age and chronologic age was not significant in Willems method which shows a close relation between dental and chronologic ages.Conclusion: The dental age estimation by Willems method is found to be more accurate than Demirjian's and Haavikko's methods in Visakhapatnam children.How to cite this article: Patnana AK, Vabbalareddy RS, Vanga NRV. Evaluating the Reliability of Three Different Dental Age Estimation Methods in Visakhapatnam Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(3):186-191.
Highlights
The overall somatic maturity of a subject defines their physiological age
Dental age showed a significant overestimation by Demirjian’s method with a mean difference of 0.55 year and underestimation by Haavikko’s and Willems methods with a mean difference of 1.95 and 0.20 year respectively when compared with chronologic age
Physiological age determination of individuals using all available scientific methods is common part of forensic practice and it is important for every identification process, especially when information relating to the deceased is not available
Summary
The overall somatic maturity of a subject defines their physiological age. This age can be evaluated through the degree of maturation of one or more functional systems, such as skeletal, dental, or tegmental. Physiological age determination of individuals using all available scientific methods is common part of forensic practice and it is important for every identification process, especially when information relating to the deceased is not available. In forensic odontology, there is a need to estimate the chronological age, which is the actual age of the accused/victim. The method of age estimation should be as accurate as possible, so that it enables the investigator to arrive at an age which is close to the chronologic age.[2]
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