Validity of the Demirjian method for dental age estimation in 4–17 years' Jordanian population: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: The Demirjian's method has been advocated since 1973 as a universal method in dental age (DA) estimation. Several studies in different populations have shown that DA was overestimated compared with chronological age (CA). The Objective of the Study: The aim of this study was to assess the DA in Jordanian children aged 4–17 years using the Demirjian method and compare it with the standard values provided by Demirjian. Design of the Study: This was a cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: Five hundred and eighty four panoramic radiographs of healthy children of both genders. The CA was scored from the medical record of the child and the dental age scored on all seven left mandibular teeth in the panoramic radiograph based on demirjian's method. Statistical Testing: All data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 25. The statistical analyses were performed using an independent samples t-test and a correlation coefficient to analyze quantitative data and a scatter plot. Results: The DA was overestimated than CA, especially in the intervals between 6–7, 14–15, and 16–17 years in females, and in the interval 12–13 and 16–17 years in males. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between CA and DA according to the girls in the intervals 9–14 years, and there were significant correlations between CA and DA related to boys in the intervals 6–7, 8–11, and 15–16 years. The results from this study have shown that Demirjian “s method cannot be applicable to be used to determine the estimated DA of the Jordanian population. Conclusion: The Demirjian's method for dental estimation is not valid for the Jordanian population, and there should be another method for dental age estimation.