Accuracy of dental age estimation using the Demirjian, Al Qahtani, and Blenkin-Evans methods in children from Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

Age estimation is a scientific process used to determine an individual's chronological age based on biological markers, such as teeth and bones. Teeth are particularly valuable for age estimation in disaster victims due to their resilience to external pressures and high temperatures. Several methods for dental age estimation in children have been developed, including the Demirjian, Al Qahtani, and Blenkin-Evans methods. This study evaluated the accuracy of these three methods in children from Surabaya, Indonesia. The sample consisted of orthopantomographs from 129 children aged 3 to 16 years. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate both chronological and dental ages, and the Wilcoxon test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were applied to compare chronological and dental ages by age group and sex across the three methods. The mean chronological age for boys was 9.59 ± 2.92 years, and for girls was 8.18 ± 2.18 years. The Demirjian method showed a mean underestimation of 0.38 years for boys and 0.16 years for girls. In contrast, the Al Qahtani method showed a mean overestimation of 0.55 years for boys and 1.09 years for girls. The Blenkin-Evans method also displayed a mean underestimation, with 0.49 years for boys and 0.08 years for girls. The findings indicate that of age estimation accuracy varies across age stages and between genders, emphasising the need to select methods that consider these factors when applied in clinical or forensic contexts.