Evaluation of the Modified Demirjian Chart (DAEcc) for Dental Age Estimation by Dental Interns

The original Demirjian method for dental age estimation is very lengthy, because it involves a number of charts to estimate the dental age. So, a simplified comprehensive chart (DAEcc) was developed to facilitate dental age estimation by the Demirjian method. The aim of the study was to check the applicability and reproducibility of the simplified comprehensive DAEcc chart for dental age estimation by a group of dental interns.

Twenty-eight interns were trained to identify the correct stage of calcification on dental radiographs by tracing seven mandibular permanent teeth (lower central and lateral incisors, canine, first and second premolars, first and second molars in the fourth quadrant) on orthopantomographs of the left side. After assigning the corresponding scores, all the scores were summed up and ease of applicability of the simplified method was assessed for dental age estimation.

The correlation coefficient between chronological age and dental age as estimated by the interns was 0.995, which showed an excellent correlation; and the average time taken by the interns for the interpretation was 1-2 minutes, which is much less compared to the original method. The excellent correlation and the little time taken by the interns, demonstrate the ease of applicability of this modified chart.

Dental age was correctly estimated by dental interns by applying this simplified chart in a significantly shorter time period.