Estimation of Chronologic Age in 5-16 Year-Old Children and Adolescents by Demirjian Method in Rasht

Age estimation plays a critical role in dentistry especial in orthodontics, pediatric Dentistry and other majors such as archaeology, etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of dental age estimation in 5-16 years-old children and adolescents in Gilan using Demirjian method.

This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on 314 panoramic radiographs of 212 girls and 102 boys, referring to Gilan dental clinics. Simple sampling method was used. Based on Demirjian method two dental radiologists calculated the dental maturity score (DMS) by assessing the seven left mandibular teeth and estimated the dental age for each case. The chronologic age of each patient was obtained from demographic data. Finally, the correlation between estimated dental age and chronologic age was determined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and paired t-test using SPSS statistical software (α = 0.05).

Mean dental age in all the subjects was estimated 0.02 year less than the chronologic age. In addition, there was no significant difference between estimated and chronological ages (p value = 0.71). Pearson’s correlation coefficient between estimated and chronological ages was 0.73, indicating statistical significance (pvalue < 0.001).

Based on the results of the present study, Demirjian method is sufficiently accurate to estimate dental age of children in Gilan and can be used acceptably.