Dental age estimation using Willems method: A digital orthopantomographic study

Abstract

In recent years, age estimation has become increasingly important in living people for a variety of reasons, including identifying criminal and legal responsibility, and for many other social events such as a birth certificate, marriage, beginning a job, joining the army, and retirement.Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the developmental stages of left seven mandibular teeth for estimation of dental age (DA) in different age groups and to evaluate the possible correlation between DA and chronological age (CA) in South Indian population using Willems method.Materials and Methods:Digital Orthopantomogram of 332 subjects (166 males, 166 females) who fit the study and the criteria were obtained. Assessment of mandibular teeth (from central incisor to the second molar on left quadrant) development was undertaken and DA was assessed using Willems method.Results and Discussion:The present study showed a significant correlation between DA and CA in both males (r = 0.71 and females (r = 0.88). The overall mean difference between the estimated DA and CA for males was 0.69 ± 2.14 years (P < 0.001) while for females, it was 0.08 ± 1.34 years (P > 0.05). Willems method underestimated the mean age of males by 0.69 years and females by 0.08 years and showed that females mature earlier than males in selected population. The mean difference between DA and CA according to Willems method was 0.39 years and is statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion:This study showed significant relation between DA and CA. Thus, digital radiographic assessment of mandibular teeth development can be used to generate mean DA using Willems method and also the estimated age range for an individual of unknown CA.

Age determination in children by orthopantomograph and lateral cephalogram: A comparative digital study

“…Urzel V et al . (2001),[ 6 ] Franco et al .,[ 12 ] Mohammed et al .,[ 13 ] and Gupta et al . (2015)[ 10 ] also concluded that there was underestimation of age in male and female by Willem's method.…”

Reliability of India-specific regression formula for age estimation of population in and around Bahadurgarh, Haryana (India)

“…In certain communities, the CA of living people bears significant importance regarding social benefits, employment, retirement, and marriage. 11 The need for age estimation has certain important reasons at certain specific age groups in the Indian context: (1) 12 years: children below this age are not liable for certain offenses; (2) 14 years: a child cannot be employed below 14 years; (3) 18 years: determines the status of maturity and the legally permissible age for marriage in females; (4) 21 years: the legally permissible age of marriage in males. 3 The original method proposed by Demirjian 5 relied on the mandibular left side teeth from the central incisor to the second molar and had assigned eight stages of development, which were categorized as A to H. A score was assigned as a function of age and the predictive interval was given for the maturity score and computed to obtain the age.…”

Forensic Validity of the Third Molar Maturity Index ( I 3 M ) for Age Estimation in a Russian Population

“…Dental status is used worldwide as a predictor for estimating the age of the living and the dead [ 8 – 11 ]. Cameriere et al (2008) [ 12 ] proposed a method for the discrimination between adults or minors, based on the correlation between the age and the normalized measures of the open apices and height of the third molar or the third molar maturity index ( I 3M ); the method is based on the analysis of the development of the third molar at one side of the mandible.…”