Age estimation using orthopantomograms and Demirjian method among children attending dental clinics in western Kenya

Abstract

Background: Various methods have been used to estimate age in different populations among them being Demirjian which has widely  been utilized. However, in Kenya, there is hardly any approved method that can be used to achieve this purpose, hence the need to  determine the available methods for estimating the age of children in Western Kenya. Therefore, this study aimed at estimating  radiological age using Demirjian method among children attending dental clinics in Western Kenya.

Methods: The study adopted a cross- sectional descriptive design and used Yamane Taro (1967) formulae to find a sample size of 171 panoramic radiographs of children aged  between 5-17 years which were examined in order to determine the tooth maturity stages (A-H) for the first seven mandibular teeth on  the left side. Each maturity stage was then assigned a corresponding maturity score as per Demirjian conversion tables for boys and girls,  summed up and converted into dental age. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean was  presented in tables and graphs while inferential statistics such as linear regression was used to measure the deviation and test of  significance.

Results: The overall mean dental age was 8.16 ± 2.7 with a standard error of mean of 0.211. The female and male mean dental age deviated from the chronological age at ±2.22 years and ±1.68 years respectively at 95% Confidence interval.

Conclusion: In  conclusion, the study revealed an underestimation of the dental age from chronological age using Demirjian method among children of  African origin.