Comparison of chronological age and estimated age obtained by using hand-wrist and panoramic radiographic datas with different age determination methods

Aim: Age estimation has an important role in clinical and forensic dentistry in terms of diagnosis, treatment planning and legal processes. The aim of the study is to compare the estimated ages obtained using Cameriere's open apex, Demirjian, Greulich & Pyle Atlas (GP), Cameriere hand- wrist methods with the chronological ages of children in our region and to determine which method gives the similar result to the chronological age and which method is the most easily applied. Material and Method: In our study, 300 panoramic and 300 hand-wrist radiographs taken between years of 2013-2019 from aged between 8-16 years 150 female and 150 male patients who applied to Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry for orthodontic treatment was evaluated with Cameriere method, Demirjian method, Cameriere hand-wrist method and GP atlas. Obtained datas were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21 package program. Results: In the current study, GP, Cameriere hand-wrist and Demirjian methods overestimated the chronological age by 0.22 year, 0.55 year and 0.61 year, respectively, and Cameriere open apex method underestimated the chronological age of the study group(p<0.005). Cameriere open apex and Demirjian methods estimated the dental age which were consistent with chronological age regardless of gender(p>0.005). Conclusion: In order to build up an atlas suitable for age estimationin children of our country, it is necessary to start large-scale studies as soon as possible; as a short-term solution, the conformity of internationally accepted methods and atlases for children in our country should be determined and it would be appropriate to use these methods after making the essential modifications.