Comparison of Demirjian, Nolla and Cameriere’s technique of age estimation using third molar teeth -A pilot study

Introduction: There are numerous age estimation techniques available on the basis of developmental stages of third molar teeth. The present study aimed to determine the most accurate method of age estimation among Demirjian, Cameriere and Nolla based on the development of third molar tooth in the North Indian population.

Materials and Methods: The study included 100 patients between 12 and 25 years of age requiring orthopantomograms (OPG) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Chronological age was obtained by subtracting the date of birth from the date of radiograph. The developmental stage of third molars was assessed using three methods -Demirjian, Nolla and Cameriere. Two investigators assessed all the blinded radiographs individually for all the three techniques at a gap of one week each.

Results: The coefficient of determination R² for entire sample in Demirjian method was 0.7575 and for Nolla and Cameriere method was 0.7326 and 0.7425 respectively. ROC analysis was done to determine if one of these three methods was more accurate to estimate legal age of maturity of 18 years. The Cameriere method showed greater accuracy with the cut off point for estimating the maturity age with 90.1% sensitivity and 94.7% specificity was a tooth maturity index of <0.34 having accuracy of 91%.

Discussion: All the three methods were good fit to estimate the chronological age of the patients in our study population. Cameriere method showed higher sensititvity and accuracy in estimating legal age of maturity as compared to the other two methods..