Comparative analyses of three radiographic dental age estimation methods amongst Nigerians

Abstract

Background: Age estimation is a critical step in constructing biological  profiles from human skeletal remains. This study aimed to compare three radiographic methods of age estimation with tested validity in different populations for accuracy and applicability in forensic investigations amongst Nigerians.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of panoramic radiographs  (Planmeca Romexis®) captured from 46 young Nigerian patients between ages 6 to 21 years in a Federal Tertiary Health Institution in Southwest Nigeria between July and December, 2017. Parameters on the panoramic radiographs were measured and scored based on Demirjian, Cameriere and Kvaal radiographic dental age estimation methods. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20 at p<0.05.
Result and Conclusion: There was no significant difference between  chronological ages and estimated ages of subjects considering Demirjian and Cameriere methods, but there was a significant age difference when Kvaal method was used (p>0.5). Demirjian method was found to be strongly correlated with chronological age (rs = 0.763); Cameriere method moderately correlated (rs = 0.684) and Kvaal method weakly correlated (rs = 0.476). Demirjian method showed the strongest direct relationship (R² = 0.56) followed by Cameriere (R² = 0.44) and Kvaal method (R² = 0.22). Demirjian system was the only significant predictor of the chronological age of Nigerian subjects using multiple linear regression.

Keyword: Age estimation, Demirjian, Kvaal, Cameriere, Nigeria