Demirjian’s dental age estimation accuracy among Ukrainian. Transcarpathian children sample: pilot study

Abstract

Background. Number of forensic methods have been proposed for dental age estimation, while parameter of dental age itself is demonstrating a high level of correspondence with chronological age. Analysis of available literature revealed deŢciency of studies regarding applicability of using Demirjian’s age estimation technique among Ukrainian samples for forensic purpose.

Objective. To evaluate accuracy of original Demirjian’s dental age estimation method amongsamp le of Ukrainian Transcarpathian children.

Materials and Methods. Study was organized as retrospective by the design based on the analysis of 276 digital panoramic X-ray images obtained from the patients of University Dental Clinic aged 6.0-15.99 years old. Dental age estimation was held by the originally proposed Demirjian’s technique.

Results. Dental age estimation using Demirjian’s technique provoked overestimation effect on 0.43 years among patients aged 6.0-6.99 years, on 0.49 years among patients aged 7.0-7.99 years, on 0.47 years among patients aged 8.0-8.99 years, on 0.55 years among patients aged 9.0-9.99 years, on 0.51 years among patients aged 10.0-10.99 years, on 0.55 years among patients aged 11.0-11.99 years, on 0.44 years among patients aged 12.0-12.99 years, on 0.45 years among patients aged 13.0-13.99 years, on 0.54 years among patients aged 14.0-14.99 years, on 0.58 years among patients aged 15.0-15.99 years.

Conclusion. Demirjian’s dental age estimation technique may be used for forensic purposes among population of children from Ukrainian Transcarpathia, if accuracy of other available dental age estimation methods would not be validated till the moment of needed forensic investigation.