Abstract

Context: There are various methods have been developed for dental age estimation, of these; Demirjian’s seven teeth method is most tested and accepted method worldwide. It is based on the tooth development rather than tooth eruption, because developmental process is strictly controlled by genes and less influenced by dietary insufficiency, endocrinal disturbances and environmental insults. Aims: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of two Demirjian’s methods in a sample of the Varanasi region. Setting and Design: This is a cross sectional prospective study. Material and Methods: The evaluation of digital panoramic images of total 432 children and adolescents (237 boys and 195 girls) of age rang 3-16 years from population of the Varanasi region. Seven left mandibular teeth excluding third molar were rated and scored to obtain dental age using Dem73 and Dem76 methods. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-test was applied to determine the significant difference between estimated dental age and chronological age and correlation was established using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The Dem73 method overestimated the dental age in boys by 0.23 (±0.80) years and by 0.12 (±0.85) years in the total sample. In the girls’ sample, there was no discernible difference in mean age. In boys, girls, and the total sample, Dem76 method overestimated dental ages by 0.85 (±1.14), 0.45 (±1.00), and 0.67 (±1.10) years, respectively. Pearson’s correlation revealed high coefficient value between dental and chronological ages. Conclusions: Dem73 method is more applicable than Dem76 method for age estimation among children and adolescents in the Varanasi region.

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