Improving reliability of permanent tooth staging for dental age estimation using the crown-root ratio method

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Odontology
• Radiology

Background:

• Dental age estimation is crucial for legal and clinical purposes.
• Current methods like Moorrees root staging can be subjective.
• A standardized, objective approach is needed for accurate dental age assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a quantitative method for Moorrees root staging using crown-root ratio (CRR).
• To establish stage-specific bounds for objective root development assessment.
• To improve the consistency and reliability of dental age estimation.

Main Methods:

• Developed CRR measurements on panoramic radiographs of 269 Malaysian subjects (aged 16-25).
• Utilized ImageJ software to determine mean CRR values for mature roots and fraction stages.
• Validated the method on 161 additional subjects (aged 3-24) comparing measured CRR to stage-specific bounds.

Main Results:

• Established mean CRR values for Moorrees root stages (R1/4 to Rc).
• Achieved an overall staging accuracy of 89.9%, with highest accuracy for M3 (95.7%) and C (91.3%).
• Observed significant sex differences in CRR for certain teeth (C, P1, M1, M2).

Conclusions:

• The developed CRR method offers an objective approach to defining Moorrees root stages.
• This quantitative method enhances consistency in dental age estimation.
• The CRR approach provides a reliable tool for forensic and clinical dental age assessment.