Comparison of the Demirjian and Root Resorption Methods to Estimate Dental Age in Radiographic Images.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of dental age (DA) estimates in children using the Demirjian method and the proportion of root resorption in primary teeth.

Methods

Panoramic images from 497 children aged three to 11.99 years were evaluated. Individuals were classified in five groups of two-year age intervals. Seven permanent teeth in the left mandible were scored based on diagrams developed by Demirjian. The proportion of root resorption was determined in the primary mandibular left canine and primary second molar, and age was estimated according to the length of root resorption (one quarter, one half, three quarters).

Results

The Demirjian method tended to overestimate DA, except for the 10- to 11.99 year-old category in girls. The greatest overestimation was in four- to 5.99 year-old children. Except for the youngest category, the difference between DA and chronological age, according to the Demirjian method, decreased with increasing age in both sexes. The root resorption method tended to underestimate age, except for canine root resorption in boys.

Conclusion

Estimated DA was closest to chronological age when the former was based on canine root resorption. Both the Demirjian and root resorption methods were effective and can be used to determine age in children.