Radiographic evaluation of dental age maturity in 3-17-years-old saudi children as an indicator of chronological age

A Comparison of Two Methods of Dental Age Estimation in a Population of Saudi Children and Adolescents

This study aimed to compare and evaluate the accuracy of the Demirjian (DE) and the London Atlas (LAE) dental age estimation methods in a Saudi population sample. This retrospective cross-sectional study used digital radiographs from electronic health records in three different dental institutes. In total, 357 male and 354 female (ages 5-15 years) digital orthopantomograms were selected for age estimation. The mean difference between the chronological age (CA) and age estimation method among males and females was 0.03 ± 0.34 and 0.00 ± 0.34, respectively, for LAE and 0.55 ± 0.84 and 0.76 ± 0.51, respectively, for DE. The mean difference between the LAE and DE methods among males and females was 0.52 ± 0.89 and -0.76 ± 0.57, respectively. No statistically significant difference between CA and LAE was found in either males (p = 0.079) or females (p = 0.872). A statistically significant difference was found between CA and DE in both genders (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the LAE and DE groups (p < 0.001) in both genders. An overestimation of dental age was observed with DE compared with that in CA. LAE showed higher accuracy than CA, with no clinically significant difference. Although the difference between the LAE and DE methods was insignificant, the LAE method proved to be more accurate.

Demirjian's and Cameriere's Methods for the Assessment of Dental Age Estimation in Children from a Southern Brazilian City

The chronological age estimation of living individuals is a crucial part of forensic practice and clinical practice, such as in orthodontic treatment. It is well-known that methods for age estimation in living children should be tested on different populations. Ethnic affiliations in Brazil are divided into several major groups depending on the region, with the south of Brazil being known for its German immigration. (1) Background: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between chronological age and dental age using Demirjian's method and Cameriere's method in a group of children from Joinville, South Brazil to investigate if both methods can be used to estimate dental age in this population. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 229 panoramic radiographs (119 were males and were 110 females) from Brazilian children (ages ranging from 6 to 12 years). The chronological age at the time of the panoramic radiographic exam was calculated for each child. The dental age was estimated according to Demirjian's method and Cameriere's method. All continuous data were tested for normality by using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The Pearson correlation coefficient test was applied. An alpha of 5% (p < 0.05) was used for all analyses. (3) Results: The mean chronological age was 8.75 years. According to Demirjian's method, the mean dental age was 9.3 years, while according to Cameriere's method, the mean dental age was 8.66 years. A strong correlation between chronological age and dental age according to Demirjian (r = 0.776 and p < 0.0001) and Cameriere (r = 0.735 and p < 0.0001) was observed for both genders. (4) Conclusions: Both methods presented a good correlation with chronological age in the studied population and could be used to assess dental age in this population.

Biological Anchorage and Canine Orthodontic Movement Rate with a New Technique for Micro-Osteoperforations

Introduction

The differential management of anchorage and the acceleration of tooth movement are some of the current greatest challenges for orthodontists. Diverse techniques and devices to reinforce anchorage and increase the rate of tooth movement have been proposed. Whether micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) can be used for both purposes is currently investigated.

Objectives

To propose and describe a new technique for biological anchorage, which involves six MOPs performed every four weeks, and to present its results in a clinical case of upper premolar extraction. Intervention. In a dental class II patient who met the selection criteria, three MOPs both on the buccal and palatine sides on the intervention side were performed on the extraction area following the protocol described. No MOPs were performed on the control side. The allocation of the intervention was randomised. The MOPs were performed three times at an interval of four weeks. A 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel wire was activated with calibrated NiTi springs. The three-dimensional movement of the first molars and upper canines was evaluated. In addition, the comfort, periodontal status, and canine root resorption of the patient were evaluated.

Results

Clinical and radiographic results suggest that the MOPs had a positive effect in reducing the loss of biological anchorage of the posterior sector and in the rate of canine tooth movement, without damaging changes in the soft and hard tissues.

Conclusion

The proposed protocol involving six MOPs every four weeks improved the behaviour of biological anchorage and increased distalization on the intervention side in this clinical case.

Age estimation in the living: A scoping review of population data for skeletal and dental methods

Age estimation of living individuals has become a crucial part of the forensic practice, especially due to the global increase in cross-border migration. The low rate of birth registration in many countries, hence of identification documents of migrants, especially in Africa and Asia, highlights the importance of reliable methods for age estimation of living individuals. Despite the fact that a number of skeletal and dental methods for age estimation have been developed, their main limitation is that they are based on specific reference samples and there is still no consensus among researchers on whether these methods can be applied to all populations. Though this issue remains still unsolved, population information at a glance could be useful for forensic practitioners dealing with such issues. This study aims at presenting a scoping review and mapping of the current situation concerning population data for skeletal (hand-wrist and clavicle) and dental methods (teeth eruption and third molar formation) for age estimation in the living. Two hundred studies on the rate of skeletal maturation and four hundred thirty-nine on the rate of dental maturation were found, covering the period from 1952 and 2020 for a total of ninety-eight countries. For most of the western and central African countries there are currently no data on the rate of skeletal and dental maturation. The same applies to the countries of the Middle East, as well as the eastern European countries, especially as regard the skeletal development.

Dental maturity in children with celiac disease: a case-control study

Background

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-related enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in susceptible individuals. Oral manifestations of CD have been frequently described, although reports on dental maturity (DM) are scant. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of DM in CD patients and to test for possible predictors.

Methods

This is a case–control study of children with CD and healthy controls between 2017 and 2020. A panoramic radiograph and comprehensive oral examination were performed for each participant. Dental age (DA) was measured according to Demirjian’s method and DM was calculated by subtracting the chronological age (CA) from the DA. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the DM between CD patients and controls, and a multivariate analysis was utilized to look for predictors of DM.

Results

Two-hundred and eight participants (104 children with CD, and 104 healthy controls) were incorporated. The mean age for CD patients was 10.67 ± 2.40 years, and 10.69 ± 2.37 years for healthy controls (P = 0.971). CD patients had a higher prevalence of delayed DM than controls (62.5% vs. 3%, respectively). They also had a greater delay in DM than controls (− 7.94 ± 10.94 vs. 6.99 ± 8.77, P < 0.001). A multivariate analysis identified age between 6 and 7 years (β ± SE = 16.21 ± 2.58, P < 0.001), as the only predictor for DM.

Conclusions

CD patients had a greater prevalence of delayed DM than controls. No predictors for DM could be found, except young age.