title: The accuracy of three methods of age estimation using radiographic measurements of developing teeth.
abstract: The accuracy of age estimation using three quantitative methods of developing permanent teeth was investigated. These were Mörnstad et al. [Scand. J. Dent. Res. 102 (1994) 137], Liversidge and Molleson [J. For. Sci. 44 (1999) 917] and Carels et al. [J. Biol. Bucc. 19 (1991) 297]. The sample consisted of 145 white Caucasian children (75 girls, 70 boys) aged between 8 and 13 years. Tooth length and apex width of mandibular canine, premolars and first and second molars were measured from orthopantomographs using a digitiser. These data were substituted into equations from the three methods and estimated age was calculated and compared to chronological age. Age was under-estimated in boys and girls using all the three methods; the mean difference between chronological and estimated ages for method I was -0.83 (standard deviation +/-0.96) years for boys and -0.67 (+/-0.76) years for girls; method II -0.79 (+/-0.93) and -0.63 (+/-0.92); method III -1.03 (+/-1.48) and -1.35 (+/-1.11) for boys and girls, respectively. Further analysis of age cohorts, found the most accurate method to be method I for the age group 8.00-8.99 years where age could be predicted to 0.14+/-0.44 years (boys) and 0.10+/-0.32 years (girls). Accuracy was greater for younger children compared to older children and this decreased with age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, Turner Street, Whitechapel, London E1 2AD, UK. h.m.liversidge@qmul.ac.uk
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Liversidge
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hector
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology