Chronological versus dental age in subjects from 5 to 19 years: a\ncomparative study with forensic implications

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated six methods used in estimating the\nage of patients attending the Dental School at Universidad del Valle,\nevaluating dental development by using panoramic radiographs.\nAdditionally, the study determined the sexual identity of the person\nand the bilateral symmetry of development, the maturity and the\nchronological eruption of permanent teeth. Materials and methods: \nThis is a descriptive, quantitative and transversal study that\nevaluated which of the six methods (Logan & Kronfeld; Schour &\nMassler; Moorrees, Fanning & Hunt; Demirjian, Goldstein &\nTanner; Ubelaker & Smith) for estimating the age of a patient\nthrough radiographic evaluation of dental development is the most\ncorrelated with the chronological age of the patient, so it can be used\nfor forensic purposes.\tResults: The Moorrees, Fanning & Hunt and\nthe Smith methods showed high correlation (0.7874 and 0.7808,\nrespectively). The Logan & Kronfeld methods presented low\ncorrelation (0.6879). The sample studied did not show sexual dimorphism\nor bilateral asymmetry. Conclusions: All methods evaluated have a\nhigh correlation coefficient between the dental age and the\nradiographic age. However, the Moorrees, Fanning & Hunt, and Smith\nmethods presented higher correlation coefficients between dental and\nchronological age.