Accuracy of the Demirjian, Willems and Nolla methods for dental age estimation in a northern Chinese population. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Meng-qi; Jia, Si-xuan; Wang, Chen-Xu; Chu, Guang; Chen, Teng; Zhou, Hong; Guo, Yu-cheng
• Is Part Of: Archives of oral biology. Volume 118(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Forensic dentistry -- Dental age estimation -- Demirjian method -- Willems method -- Nolla method -- Northern Chinese population; Mouth -- Periodicals; Mouth -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dentistry -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.6005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104875
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9969

Abstract

Highlights: Age estimation by three methods is assessed in a northern Chinese sample. Both Willems and Nolla methods were more appropriate for northern Chinese sample. The Nolla method was proved the most accurate for dental age estimation. Evaluating the accuracy of different methods in specific population is advised. Abstract: Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Demirjian, Willems, and Nolla methods for dental age estimation on a sample of the northern Chinese population. Design: The study consisted of 2000 panoramic radiographs (1000 boys and 1000 girls) with an age range between 5 and 14 years. The mean error and absolute mean error were calculated according to each method, and the accuracy was statistically analysed. Results: The three methods used for Chinese subjects overestimated the dental age by 1.16, 0.50, and 0.07 years. The absolute mean error was largest in most age groups for the Demirjian method, which was considered inaccurate in age estimation for teenagers, and it was more than 1.00 years for only several age groups for the Willems method and only girls aged 14 years for the Nolla method. The mean error and absolute mean error were lowest for the Nolla method and highest for the Demirjian method. Conclusions: Although the Demirjian method is frequently used in Chinese subjects for legal and medical purposes, the Willems and Nolla methods were more reliable than the Demirjian method. Among the three methods, the accuracy in the northern Chinese subjects was highest for the Nolla method. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the accuracy of different methods before assessing the age in specific populations.