Evaluating the reliability of three different dental age estimation methods in visakhapatnam children.

Dental age is important for treatment planning in the specialitiesof pedodontics and orthodontics. Although, Demirjian�s methodwas considered standard for dental age estimation, it may notbe reliable for all population.Aim: The goal of the study was to evaluate the reliability of Demirjian�s,Haavikko�s and Willems method of dental age estimationmethods in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh, India) children.Study design: One hundred and two children of 6 to 14 yearsold who underwent panaromic digital radiography for routinediagnostic purposes were included. Dental age was calculatedusing Demirjian�s, Haavikko�s and Willems methods and comparedwith chronologic age for each patient.Results: Dental age showed a significant overestimation byDemirjian�s method with a mean difference of 0.55 year andunderestimation by Haavikko�s and Willems methods witha mean difference of 1.95 and 0.20 year respectively whencompared with chronologic age. The mean difference betweendental age and chronologic age was not significant in Willemsmethod which shows a close relation between dental andchronologic ages.Conclusion: The dental age estimation by Willems methodis found to be more accurate than Demirjian�s and Haavikko�smethods in Visakhapatnam children.