Comparative Evaluation of Modified Demirjian and Nolla’s Method for Dental Age Estimation in Young Football Players

Dental age estimation is a fundamental aspect of forensic science, paediatric dentistry, and orthodontics, often employed in both clinical and legal contexts. It is mainly important when birth records are unavailable or unreliable, such as in cases involving refugees, adoptees, or judicial age disputes. Teeth, unlike many other physiological markers, show a predictable and sequential pattern of development and mineralization, making them reliable indicators of biological maturity. Among the widely used methods, the Modified Demirjian Method and Nolla’s Method are prominent for assessing dental maturity.

The designated group was taken to compare these methods and assess their accuracy in estimating the actual age of the players.

This study was conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, GMCH Chandigarh. A total of 180 players among the age group of 9 to 19 years, came to our department in November, 2024, for Age estimation for their Football Championship. Out of which 68 players required OPG for their age estimation.

In our study we found that, the mean of actual age was approximately 15.73 years (±2.13 years). When their dental age was estimated using the Modified Demirjian Method, the average estimated age was found to be 17.40 years (±1.34 years), which tended to overestimate the actual chronological age in most cases. In contrast, the Nolla’s Method calculated a mean estimated age of 15.40 years (±1.70 years), which showed a tendency to underestimate the actual age.

When their dental age was estimated using the Modified Demirjian Method, the average estimated age was found to be 17.40 years (±1.34 years), which tended to overestimate the actual chronological age in most cases. In contrast, the Nolla’s Method calculated a mean estimated age of 15.40 years (±1.70 years), which showed a tendency to