Introduction: Demirjian's method of dental age assessment estimates the overall dental age by scoring based on the stage of tooth formation, using panoramic radiographs. This method was primarily based on data acquired from individuals of French-Canadian origin. It has since been applied and modified for the Indian population. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to assess the reliability of the Indian formula in the population of Bengaluru.
Materials and methods: Dental maturity of 297 subjects between 9 and 17 years was assessed using the India-specific formula of Demirjian et al.'s 8-teeth method and the chronological age of each subject was calculated. Pearson's correlation, Independent student test/Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis of the results obtained.
Results and discussion: A very strong correlation (P < 0.001) between the chronological and estimated age by Demirjian's method was obtained. The mean absolute error among the total samples was not significant and majority of the error in the estimated age was <1 year in males and females, indicating that the India specific formula gave nearly accurate estimation of the chronological age of the sample subjects.
Conclusion: Demirjian's Indian formula is relaible in the population of Bengaluru.
Keywords: Demirjian's method; dental age; dental maturity; panoramic radiographs.
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