Dental age estimation of northern Pakistani children using 3D surface area analyses of canine apices.

Northern Pakistani population specific dental age estimation regression model was developed for children based on the 3D surface area analysis of maxillary canine root apices. Regression model was also compared with the Malaysian population specific formula. Three-dimensional models of 237 permanent maxillary canines belonging to northern Pakistani children aged 7 to 14 years old were analysed using MIMICS and 3-Matics software. One hundred and forty-eight CBCT images were used as the training sample to develop a regression model and 89 images were used as a validation sample. Northern Pakistani population specific formula showed higher accuracy in estimating the chronological age as compared to the Malaysian population specific formula.