A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study on Accuracy of Willems and Demirjian’s Method of Dental Age Estimation in Nepalese Population

Age estimation is crucial for both the living and the dead. Age estimation based on developmental parameters is thought to have a strong correlation with the chronological age. Thus, further research in this field can provide reference data, which could be used for medicolegal purposes in Nepal, where there is a paucity of dental age estimation studies. The goal of this study is to compare and test the two most commonly used dental age estimation techniques in Nepalese population.

This cross-sectional, observational, non-experimental study was conducted using 250 orthopantomograms in Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital. Demirjian’s and Willems techniques were used to estimate the dental age, which was then compared to the chronological age of the patients.

The mean chronological age of the study sample taken for the study was 13.42±2.05 and 13.09±1.98 years for males and females were respectively. The mean age estimated by Demirjian’s method was 13.7±2.18 (males)and 13.76±2.03 (females) years and by Willems method was 13.11±2.02 (males) and 12.99±2.04 (females) years.

The Willems and Demirjian’s method of age estimation when compared to the chronological age of both the males and females, demonstrated a strong association. Demirjian’s method was more accurate than Willems’ method. These methods are recommended for estimating dental age in Nepalese Population.