Dental Age Estimation by Demirjian’s and Nolla’s Method in Children of Jorpati, Kathmandu

Abstract

Background: Growing individuals not only differ in the timing of the maturational events, but also in the sequence of these events. Age is one of the essential factors, which play an important role in every aspect of life like in clinical, medico-legal, forensic and anthropological applications and in planning treatment of orthodontic and pedodontic patients. The aim of the study was to determine dental age from orthopantomogram using Demirjian’s method and Nolla’s method and to evaluate the interrelationship between chronological and dental age according to both these methods. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 177 orthopantomograms of the patient aged between 5 to 15 years. Dental age estimation was done with Demirjian’s and Nolla’s method. Results: The mean chronological age 10.14 + 3.16 compared with the mean Demirjian age 9.58 + 3.39 was statistically non significant p > 0.05 whereas comparision with mean Nolla age 7.88+ 1.56 was significant statistically. Conclusions: Both methods showed delayed dental age compared to chronological age. Demirjian’s method was more applicable to assess the dental age in Nepalese children compared to Nolla’s method.Keywords: chronological age; dental age; Demirjian’s method; Nolla’s method.

Estimation of Dental Age by Demirjian and Willems Method In a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal

“…Similar results were observed in a few studies done in selected Nepalese children population where Demirjian method was found to underestimate the age. 23,24,25 But the mean difference was very less in the present study compared to those other studies. 23,24,25 Thus, Demirjian's 7-teeth method was more applicable in the tested children.…”

“…23,24,25 But the mean difference was very less in the present study compared to those other studies. 23,24,25 Thus, Demirjian's 7-teeth method was more applicable in the tested children.…”

Dental age estimation and accuracy assessment by Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods in Nepalese children for predicting the chronological age

“…been stated in all of the published studies in Nepalese population. 14,16,19 Similarly underestimation in dental age was also observed in few other studies [21][22][23][24] while many studies using Demirjian method in several populations 2,4,6,9,13,25-28 have shown overestimation of dental age in contrast to our study. Internationally, using Demirjian method, an overestimation of dental age was found in Brazilians and Croats, 29 Malaysians, 30 Turks, 31 Bangladeshi and British, 32 Indians 2 and Spanish children.…”

“…12 Nolla 5 age estimation method is based on the calcification of teeth and presents a high degree of intra-observer agreement (greater than 90%) but has been used only once in the Nepalese population. 13,14 The Willems 9 method, a modification of the Demirjian Dental age estimation and accuracy assessment by Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods in Nepalese children for predicting the chronological age ABSTRACT method calculates dental age by direct scoring of tooth development which has provided comparatively smaller overestimations and precise estimation in some populations. 15 The major bias in age estimation is the differences in growth and development as well as other factors like hereditary, sex, nutrition, function and environment in different ethnic groups of population which must be taken into significant consideration while applying age estimation methods.…”

“…15 The major bias in age estimation is the differences in growth and development as well as other factors like hereditary, sex, nutrition, function and environment in different ethnic groups of population which must be taken into significant consideration while applying age estimation methods. 12,15 In the Nepalese population, Demirjian method has been used independently 16,17 as well as with the Nolla method 14 or with Willems in numerous studies. 18,19 However, there have been no comparative studies between Demirjian, Nolla and Willems methods, thus this study aims to evaluate and compare the validity and accuracy of these methods in Nepalese children.…”