Aline Maria da Silveira Sousa1, Victor Jacometti2, Sakher AlQahtani3, Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva4. 1. Department of Stomatology, Public Health and Forensic Odontology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Av. do Café, S/N - Vila Amélia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-904, Brazil. Electronic address: aline.maria.sousa@usp.br. 2. Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Vila Virginia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14015-130, Brazil. Electronic address: victor.jacometti@usp.br. 3. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11545, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: asakher@ksu.edu.sa. 4. Department of Stomatology, Public Health and Forensic Odontology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Av. do Café, S/N - Vila Amélia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-904, Brazil. Electronic address: ricardohenrique@usp.br.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate, for the first time, the applicability of the London Atlas method for age estimation on a sample of Brazilian population. DESIGN: The study consisted of archived dental panoramic radiographs (n = 288) of individuals aged between 5 and 23 years. Radiographs were assessed using the London Atlas method to determine the developmental and eruption stages of all teeth on each sides of each jaw separately, and also to make an age estimation. RESULTS: There was no significant differences between the right and left sides of the jaws (p = 0.31 for males and p = 0.65 for females). An overestimation of age occurred more likely in the female sample when compared to the male sample. Three age groups, 20.5, 18.5 and 19.5 years, presented the highest values of mean absolute difference found in the whole sample. CONCLUSION: The London Atlas of age estimation performed well in general and good viability in an expert context, with most age groups showing age differences lower than two years of age, however it is necessary that it be applied with caution in certain age groups, especially when the third molar is used as a decision tooth for age estimation. Therefore, it is recommended to use more than one method for assessing the age in those age groups.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate, for the first time, the applicability of the London Atlas method for age estimation on a sample of Brazilian population. DESIGN: The study consisted of archived dental panoramic radiographs (n = 288) of individuals aged between 5 and 23 years. Radiographs were assessed using the London Atlas method to determine the developmental and eruption stages of all teeth on each sides of each jaw separately, and also to make an age estimation. RESULTS: There was no significant differences between the right and left sides of the jaws (p = 0.31 for males and p = 0.65 for females). An overestimation of age occurred more likely in the female sample when compared to the male sample. Three age groups, 20.5, 18.5 and 19.5 years, presented the highest values of mean absolute difference found in the whole sample. CONCLUSION: The London Atlas of age estimation performed well in general and good viability in an expert context, with most age groups showing age differences lower than two years of age, however it is necessary that it be applied with caution in certain age groups, especially when the third molar is used as a decision tooth for age estimation. Therefore, it is recommended to use more than one method for assessing the age in those age groups.