Comparative estimation of dental age by using Demirjian’s and Nolla’s method in residents of Pune city

Abstract

Introduction – Age assessment is an essential part of forensic odontology. It is of importance in medico-legal areas and in mass disasters. Age estimation methods show variation in the reported results. Aim and Objectives - To evaluate and compare the dental age from orthopantomogram using Demirjian’s and Nolla’s method in residents of Pune city and to compare the dental age with the chronological age. Methodology - The study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Dental College and Hospital, Pune. A total of 100 subjects were enrolled in the study. The diagnostic orthopantomograms (OPGs) were evaluated as per the Demirjian’s and Nolla’s method. Statistical methods - The pair-wise statistical comparison of distribution of means of continuous variables was tested using paired t-test. Results – The results of our study suggest that the Demirjian’s method is applicable to higher age groups in both genders with a better accuracy than Nolla’s method. Nolla’s method has a better accuracy in the lower age group than the Demirjian’s method.