Radiologic Age Validation using Demirjian's 8-Teeth Method - An Institutional Anthropological Study on North-Indian Population.

Abstract

Introduction: Age estimation forms a major part of forensic odontologic investigations and makes use of morphologic, radiographic, histologic, and biochemical methods. While anthropometry, development of sexual characters, and dentition are used when chronological age is unavailable, the data obtained from dentition is also recommended as evidence due to its better accuracy and easy determination of tooth calcification.

Methodology: The study aims to apply the revised 8-teeth method of Demirjian in validating the age of juveniles and very young adults (7-25 years) by using Acharya's India-specific formulas to correlate estimated age with actual age and establish the method's accuracy in the local population. Patients between the age group 7 and 25 requiring Orthopantomograms (OPGs) were taken for the study and assigned a stage based on the 'Tooth development chart'. Gender-specific regression formula was applied to derive the estimated age and compare it with the actual age.

Results: Results revealed India-specific regression formula to be more reliable than the modified Demirjian method in correlating the actual and estimated ages. Its accuracy seems to be better only for a narrow age range (14-17 years) within the study group. Better age predictability is seen among females than males in this age group. This method is suitable as an adjunct to other age estimation methods.

Discussion: The wide variety and diversity in the Indian population along with regional variations in culture and habitat leads to a significant difference in dental developmental stages. This validates the need for India-weighted scores within different parts of North India to assess its reliability.