Reliability of age estimation using Demirjian's 8 teeth method and India specific formula

Area of Science:

• Forensic odontology
• Dental anthropology
• Human identification

Background:

• Dental age estimation is a crucial forensic tool.
• Tooth development provides a non-invasive method for age assessment.
• Radiographic methods have been utilized for decades in forensic dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the accuracy of Demirjian's 8 teeth method for age estimation.
• To validate the method using French maturity scores and an India-specific formula.
• To evaluate the reliability of dental age estimation in an Indian population.

Main Methods:

• The study analyzed 121 digital orthopantomographs of patients aged 7-23 years.
• Radiographs were assessed using Demirjian's criteria.
• Age was calculated with a formula specific to the Indian population.

Main Results:

• The mean absolute error in age estimation was 1.18 years.
• In 57.9% of cases, the error was within ±1 year.
• Age estimation errors varied slightly between genders and age groups.

Conclusions:

• Demirjian's 8 teeth method, with an India-specific formula, provides a reliable means for dental age estimation.
• The method achieves an error rate of approximately one year.
• Including third molars may increase error rates in older individuals.