Accuracy of Iranian Cameriere and Willems methods for estimating dental age in a population of Iranian children

Abstract Age estimation methods based on dental radiographs are of the most accurate and popular methods for age estimation. The accuracy of these methods might vary between different ethnic groups. Therefore, the present study was performed in order to evaluate and update the Cameriere dental age estimation method in a population of Iranian children and compare it with the Willems dental age estimation method. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed, using dental records and digital dental panoramic radiographs of 110 six- to 12-year-old patients (55 girls and 55 boys). In order to assess the accuracy of both methods, the difference between the estimated dental age and the Chronological age was calculated and compared. Results of the present study showed Willems method overestimated the age and the updated Iranian Cameriere method underestimated the age, but the over/underestimations were not significant, except for the boys in Willems group. Both Willems dental age estimation (WDA) and Iranian Cameriere dental age estimation (ICDA) methods were applicable in the selected population of Iranian children, although the WDA estimations were less accurate, especially for boys.