Assessment of permanent teeth development in children with multiple persistent primary teeth

BACKGROUND

Persistent primary teeth (PPT) may occur due to various local factors, or it may develop due to general factors such as systemic diseases and syndromes. Since eruption and dental development are two different processes, it is important to investigate both processes to determine the actual cause of delayed tooth eruption. The study aimed to evaluate the dental development of a group of Turkish children with multiple PPT using the Willems dental age estimation method.

STUDY DESIGN

Digital panoramic radiographs of children and adolescents aged between 9 and 15 years were retrieved, assessed and categorized. A total of 80 radiographs of patients with more than one PPT were selected and matched with children without PPT. Dental age was calculated using the method of Willems et al. All analyses were conducted using the SPSS statistical software. The statistical significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

The permanent tooth development of children with multiple PPT could be delayed by 0.5-4 years compared to healthy ones. A strong positive correlation was found between the number of PPT and deviation for both females and males (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we found that permanent tooth development of children with multiple PPT could be delayed compared to healthy ones. In addition, as the number of PPT increased, the difference between chronological age and dental age also increased, especially in males.

Comperative evaluation of Nolla, Willems and Cameriere methods for age estimation of Turkish children in the Central Black Sea Region: A preliminary study

PURPOSE

Since dental age estimation methods' accuracy and reliability levels differ in each society, the method should be appropriate for societies. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of Nolla, Willems, and Cameriere methods to Turkish children in the Central Black Sea Region.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This study was conducted based on the panoramic radiographs of 400 children between the ages of 6-14 years admitted to Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry for examination between 2016 and 2020. Nolla, Willems, and Cameriere methods estimated dental age on the selected panoramic radiographs. While 14 teeth in the left mandible and maxilla were evaluated for Nolla method, seven teeth in the left mandible were evaluated for Willems and Cameriere methods. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS V23. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the chronological age (CA) and dental age (DA), and the paired sample t-test was used to analyze the difference.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between CA-Nolla dental age (p = 0.002), CA-Willems dental age (p < 0.001), and CA-Cameriere dental age (p = 0.033) in boys. The mean differences between dental age and chronological age in boys were -0.24 years in the Nolla method, +0.49 years in Willems method, and -0.17 years in the Cameriere method. A statistically significant difference was found between CA-Nolla dental age (p = 0.001) and CA-Willems dental age (p < 0.001) in girls. The mean differences between dental age and chronological age in girls were -0.27 years in the Nolla method, +0.76 years in the Willems method, and -0.1 years in the Cameriere method.

CONCLUSION

In this study method providing closest estimation for chronological age among children aged 6-14.99 that were examined in Central Black Sea Region, was the Cameriere method in both girls (79.9%) and boys (80.6%), followed by Nolla method and Willems method, respectively.

Dental age estimation with fewer than mandibular seven teeth: An accuracy study of Bedek models in Turkish children

OBJECTIVES

One or more missing teeth, such as hypodontia, make it difficult to obtain accurate results in age estimation methods. This paper aims to test the accuracy of the models developed by Bedek et al. that can estimate age with fewer than seven teeth for Turkish children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 1118 children (540 girls and 578 boys) aged between 6 and 16 years were evaluated using the Willems method and Bedek models for the entire sample and for different ages and sexes. Differences between dental age (DA) and chronological age (CA) calculated for all methods for each sex and all age groups were analyzed the paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. The accuracy of the DA estimation methods was determined by the proximity of DA to CA by calculating mean absolute error (MAE).

RESULTS

While all Bedek models underestimated CA by 0.2 to 0.1 years, the Willems method overestimated CA by 0.3 years. DA-CA difference in the total sample and girls was statistically significant in all methods. In the total sample, the seven- and four-teeth models had the lowest MAE, while the one-tooth model had the highest MAE.

CONCLUSIONS

Seven- and four-teeth models were the most suitable for age estimation, and all models except the one-tooth model were found to be more accurate than the Willems method in northwestern Turkish children.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Especially in children with hypodontia, it may be possible to estimate DA with the use of Bedek models.

Demirjian method and Willems method to study the dental age of adolescents in Shanghai before and after 10 years

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to assess the validity of whether the difference in dental age between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 is affected by environmental factors such as environmental pollution, floating population, and dietary habits. Demirjian and Willems dental age estimation methods were conducted for a Han population of children aged 8 to 14 in Shanghai, China. A total of 1,259 digital panorama radiographs of children aged 8.00-14.99 was estimated. All digital panorama radiographs were estimated using the Demirjian and Willems methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both 2009 to 2011 and 2021 were statistically analyzed by paired t-tests. The results show that the Demirjian method overestimates 2009 to 2011 and underestimates 2021 than children's chronological age. According to the Willms method, males are overestimated and females are underestimated from 2009 to 2011, and both genders were underestimated in 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the difference in dental age between 2009 to 2011 and 2021 was statistically significant. Factors such as environment and dietary habits have been found to be affected by dental development. However, there are disputes among some researchers about the exact factors, so it is suggested to further study the effects of environmental factors on tooth development.

Estimation of dental age using Willems method and comparing it with Demirjian's method in 7-14-year-old children of Uttarakhand

Age is one of the essential factors, which plays an important role in every aspect of life. Age is estimated on the basis of chronological age, bone age, dental age, mental age and others. This study represents the objective of an ideal age estimation technique to arrive at an age as close to the chronological age as possible.

AIM

The aim of this comparative study was to estimate the dental age using Willems method by assessing the developmental stages of left seven permanent mandibular teeth in 7-14 years of age groups with the help of digital orthopantomogram and comparing it with Demirjian's method to conclude which method was more appropriate and better in Indian population of Uttarakhand region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 100 digital orthopantomogram films of patients in the age group of 7-14 years was collected over the study period of 3 years from July 2014 to January 2017 and was equally distributed by convenience sampling. Group I included 50 boys and Group II included 50 girls aging 7-14 years of age (as permanent 7 teeth in the 3^rd quadrant were to be assessed and scored according to the Demirjian's table, the 7-14 age group was selected). The date of birth of the subject was documented against their allocated identification number. Dental age according to Willem's method was calculated using Willem's table and Demirjian and Goldstein's table scores were used to calculate dental age by Demirjian's method.

RESULTS

Willems method was more accurate and better than Demirjian's method as it showed less mean percentage error, i.e., 0.34% as compared to 15.94% obtained from Demirjian's method in Group II and 2.19% as compared to 8.05% obtained from Demirjian's method in Group I.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that Willems method of dental age estimation was an effective method of age estimation and was better and more accurate than Demirjian's method.

Validating dental age estimation in Kenyan black children and adolescents using the Willems method

PURPOSE

This study aimed to validate the Willems Belgian Caucasian (Willems BC) age estimation model in a Kenyan sample, to develop and validate a Kenyan-specific (Willems KB) age estimation model and to compare the age prediction performances of both models.

METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 1038 (523 female, 515 male) Kenyan children without missing permanent teeth and without all permanent teeth fully developed (except third molars) were retrospectively selected. Tooth development of the seven lower-left permanent teeth was staged according to Demirjian et al. The Willems BC model, performed on a Belgian Caucasian sample and a constructed Kenyan-specific model (Willems KB) were validated on the Kenyan sample. Their age prediction performances were quantified and compared using the mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE) and root-mean-square error (RMSE).

RESULTS

The ME with Willems BC method equalled zero. Hence, there was no systematic under- or overestimation of the age. For males and females separately, the ME with Willems BC was significantly different from zero, but negligible in magnitude (-0.04 and 0.04, respectively). Willems KB was found not to outperform Willems BC, since the MAE and RMSE were comparable (0.98 vs 0.97 and 1.31 vs 1.29, respectively). Although Willems BC resulted in a higher percentage of subjects with predicted age within a one-year difference of the true age (63.3% vs 60.4%, p=0.018), this cannot be considered as clinically relevant.

CONCLUSION

There is no reason to use a country-specific (Willems KB) model in children from Kenya instead of the original Willems (BC) model.

Application of Willems Method as an Age Estimator in Early Adolescents of Bangalore Population

INTRODUCTION

Dental age (DA) assessment is a reliable method for chronological age (CA) estimation used for criminal, forensic, and anthropologic purposes. Age estimation also provides valuable information when the birth date is unavailable, as in case of migrants. Furthermore, the CA of living people is important for employment and marriage purpose.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study is to check the reliability of the Willems method in the population of Bangalore.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 205 (109 boys and 96 girls) participants by their radiographic records in the department of forensic odontology using modified Demirjian's method by Willem et al.

RESULTS

A total of 205 subjects were selected for the study, among which 109 (53.2%) were boys and 96 (46.8%) were girls. The mean CA was 12.23 ± 1.75 and the mean DA was 12.20 ± 1.99. Willems method seems to be reliable in estimating DA in Bangalore populations.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the Willems method gave near precise estimation of the CA.

Dental age and skeletal maturity assessment in patients with cerebral palsy

The aims of this study were to calculate the estimated dental age and the degree of skeletal maturity in patients with cerebral palsy and control patients (i.e., without a diagnosis of cerebral palsy) and to compare the findings with the chronological age of patients in both study groups. In this cross-sectional study, the European formula and the Willems method were used to estimate the dental age of 52 patients with cerebral palsy and 104 control patients, all aged between 7 and 15 years. For all patients, their estimated dental age was compared with their chronological age. The degree of skeletal maturity of 35 patients with cerebral palsy and 104 control patients was estimated according to Baccetti's method. There was no statistically significant difference in the deviation of the estimated dental age from the chronological age between patients with cerebral palsy and control patients when the European formula or the Willems method was applied. No difference was found in the frequency of Baccetti's stages between patients with cerebral palsy and control patients in the same age category, for both sexes. To estimate dental age in patients with cerebral palsy, the European formula is preferable for orthodontic purposes and the Willems method is preferable for forensic purposes. Using Baccetti's method it was not possible to detect potential differences in skeletal maturity between patients with cerebral palsy and controls.

A modified dental age assessment method for 5- to 16-year-old eastern Chinese children

Objectives

Age estimation is widely applied in the field of orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and forensic science. Dental age estimation by the radiological method is frequently used because of its convenience and noninvasiveness. However, there are not enough suitable methods for eastern Chinese children. This study aimed to establish a modified formula for eastern Chinese children according to the Demirjian method and then compared the accuracy of the modified method with the Demirjian method and Willems method.

Materials and methods

A total of 2367 dental panoramic radiographs from individuals aged 5–16 years of eastern China were collected as samples. Age estimation was conducted using the Demirjian and Willems methods. The polynomial curve fitting method was used to modify the Demirjian method to improve its application to the eastern Chinese children. The paired t test and accuracy ratio were used to compare the applicability of the modified methods with two commonly used methods.

Results

The mean chronological age (CA) of the subjects was 11.20 ± 3.29 years for boys and 10.99 ± 3.12 years for girls. The mean difference values between the CA and dental age (DA) (CA–DA) using the Demirjian and Willems methods were 0.73 and 0.7 for boys, respectively, and both 0.79 for girls. The modified method using the polynomial curve fitting presented a smaller underestimation compared with CA for both boys (0.04 years) and girls (0.09 years), which showed a high suitability to Chinese children to some extent.

Conclusions

The Willems method was more accurate in estimating DA compared with the Demirjian method. However, the modified method was more accurate than the two methods; therefore, it can be used in eastern Chinese children.

Clinical relevance

It was thought to be a non-invasive, convenient, and efficient method to connect DA and CA. By estimating dental age, pediatrist, and orthodontists can better understand the development of permanent teeth and provide a more accurate orthodontic treatment time and treatment plan to children patients.

Accuracy of the Demirjian, Willems and Nolla methods for dental age estimation in a northern Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Demirjian, Willems, and Nolla methods for dental age estimation on a sample of the northern Chinese population.

DESIGN

The study consisted of 2000 panoramic radiographs (1000 boys and 1000 girls) with an age range between 5 and 14 years. The mean error and absolute mean error were calculated according to each method, and the accuracy was statistically analysed.

RESULTS

The three methods used for Chinese subjects overestimated the dental age by 1.16, 0.50, and 0.07 years. The absolute mean error was largest in most age groups for the Demirjian method, which was considered inaccurate in age estimation for teenagers, and it was more than 1.00 years for only several age groups for the Willems method and only girls aged 14 years for the Nolla method. The mean error and absolute mean error were lowest for the Nolla method and highest for the Demirjian method.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the Demirjian method is frequently used in Chinese subjects for legal and medical purposes, the Willems and Nolla methods were more reliable than the Demirjian method. Among the three methods, the accuracy in the northern Chinese subjects was highest for the Nolla method. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the accuracy of different methods before assessing the age in specific populations.

Accuracy assessment of dental age estimation with the Willems, Demirjian and Nolla methods in Spanish children: Comparative cross-sectional study

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the validity and accuracy of the Willems, Demirjian and Nolla methods in predicting chronological age in a Spanish ethnicity population.

Methods

A sample of 604 orthopantomographs of Spanish children aged 4 to 13 years was evaluated by two independent evaluators. Descriptive statistics were applied to calculate the chronological age and dental age, presenting the mean and standard deviation. The difference between dental age and chronological age was calculated for each method. A positive result indicated an overestimation and a negative figure indicated an underestimation. The Wilcoxon test for paired data and Spearman’s correlation coefficient were applied by age groups and sex to compare the chronological age and dental age of each method (that of Willems, Demirjian and Nolla). Statistical tests were performed at a 95% confidence level.

Results

The interexaminer agreement was 0.98 (p = 0.00), and the intraexaminer agreement was 0.99 (p = 0.00). The Willems method significantly overestimated the age of boys (0.35 years (0.93)) and girls (0.17 years (0.88)). The Demirjian method significantly overestimated the age of boys (0.68 years (0.95)) and girls (0.73 years (0.94)). The Nolla method significantly underestimated age in boys (0.44 years (0.93)) and girls (0.82 years (0.98)).

Conclusions

In the Spanish population, the use of the Demirjian method for legal and medical purposes is frequent. This study reveals that the Willems method is more appropriate due to its greater precision in estimating dental age.

A Comparative Evaluation of Three Different Dental Age Estimation Methods in India: A Test of Ethnic Variability

Aim

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the applicability of Demirjian, Willems, and Haavikko methods of dental age estimation in southeastern (Dravidian ethnicity) and northwestern regions (Aryan ethnicity) of the Indian population.

Materials and methods

The study includes the orthopantomographs (OPGs) of 303 individuals (173 males and 130 females) of age ranging from 5 to 14 years. The participants in the present research were evaluated under two study groups: group I: participants of the southeastern region and group II: participants of the northwestern region. Dental age was calculated using Demirjian, Willems, and Haavikko methods and compared with the chronologic age of each participant. The accuracy of dental age estimation methods was evaluated by mean absolute error. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t tests were used to test the significant difference between the chronologic age and estimated dental ages.

Results

The Demirjian method showed overestimation, while Willems and Haavikko methods showed underestimation for boys and girls in both the ethnic groups of Indian population. The Willems method of dental age estimation showed comparatively more accurate and reliable results in both the ethnic groups of the Indian population.

Conclusion

The dental age estimation by Demirjian, Willems, and Haavikko methods showed no significant variation between the different ethnicities of the Indian population.

Clinical significance

The present research will be helpful in pedodontic, orthodontic, and forensic investigations for accurate and reliable dental age estimation in different parts of Indian population.

How to cite this article

Chaudhry K, Talwar M, Vanga NRV, et al. A Comparative Evaluation of Three Different Dental Age Estimation Methods in India: A Test of Ethnic Variability. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(1):16–20.

New model for dental age estimation: Willems method applied on fewer than seven mandibular teeth

Willems method measures the developmental stages of the seven left permanent mandibular teeth and is frequently used for dental age estimation. The aim of this study was to test its accuracy on a large sample of the Croatian population and to develop new models for estimation based on one to seven mandibular teeth. The developmental stages were evaluated on the digital, standardized orthopantomograms of 1868 Croatian children aged 5 to 16. Univariate regression was used for age estimation based on one tooth and regression with forward and backward elimination for selection of the best combination on two to six teeth. Tested in parallel with Willems method, the accuracy of the new models was assessed within intervals of ± 0.5, ± 1, ± 1.5 and ± 2 years and shows the percentage of correct estimations. Using Willems method, the average overestimation was 0.41 years for boys and 0.22 years for girls. Newly developed models that use two to seven teeth proved to be significantly more accurate (p < 0.001). The accuracy of age estimation increases significantly with the number of teeth in a model. Predictably, within the interval ± 0.5 years, a model with three teeth has 3% fewer accurate age estimations than a model including seven teeth. In both theory and practice, Willems method has been considered suitable for age estimation among Croatian children. However, these newly developed models significantly surpass its accuracy. Models using two to seven teeth represent a simple, reliable, and accurate method for age estimation, even in cases with missing mandibular teeth.

Dental age estimation using four Demirjian's, Chaillet's and Willems' methods in Kosovar children

BACKGROUND

Tooth formation was recognized as useful body system to assess maturity and predict age. Tooth mineralization is much less affected by the endocrine and different nutritional status than bone mineralization, and teeth formation provides a more reliable indication of chronological age. Demirjian et al. in 1973 presented a scoring system and method for dental age estimation on a sample of French-Canadian children. Chaillet et al. and Willems et al. modified original Demirjian method. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of four Demirjian's, Chaillet and Willems methods for age estimation in the children of Kosovo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional study was based on the evaluation of the sample of 1022 orthopantomograms (OPTs) of healthy Kosovar children, aged between 5 and 14 years. OPTs were taken from the Radiology unit of University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosova, as part of random clinical treatment. We tested the accuracy of four methods based on seven mandibular teeth, Demirjian from 1973 (Dem73) and 1976 (Dem76), Chaillet from 2005 (Chaillet) and Willems from 2001 (Willems) and two Demirjian's methods based on different sets of four teeth (Dem76PM1 and Dem76IN2).

RESULTS

For most tested methods, we found statistically significant differences between the chronological age (CA) and dental age (DA) (p < 0.05). In males, the most accurate method were those using four teeth, Dem76IN2 (0.03 years) following by Dem76PM1 (-0.05 years), following those using seven teeth, Willems (-0.14 years), Chaillet (-0.24 years) and Dem73 (0.43 years). In females, dental age was the most accurate for the Willems method (-0.24 years) following Chaillet (-0.35 years), Dem76 (0.43 years) and Dem73 (0.55 years), while Dem76PM1 and Dem76IN2 overestimated by 0.45 years and 0.46 years, respectively. The mean absolute difference between DA and CA were between 0.61 years for the Willems, to 0.78 years for the Dem73 in males, and 0.64 years for the Willems to 0.75 years for the Dem76IN2 in females.

CONCLUSION

The Willems method was the most accurate for estimating a dental age if all seven mandibular teeth are available for analysis, and we found the similar accuracy of Dem76PM1 and Dem76IN2 methods. Therefore, we may encourage their use for age estimation on the Kosovar children.

Age estimation in Indian children and adolescents in the NCR region of Haryana: A comparative study

Introduction:

Age estimation is a preliminary step in the identification of an individual. It is a crucial and often most critical step for forensic experts. The assessment has been standardized utilizing common dental diagnostic x-rays, but most such age-estimating systems are European population-based and their applicability has not been determined in the context of the Indian population.

Aims and Objectives:

To assess the applicability and to compare the methods of dental age estimation by Demirjian's method and the same method as modified by Willems (i.e. the Willems method) in Indian children of the National Capital Region (NCR). Also, to find a correlation among skeletal maturity using the Cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI), dental maturity, and chronological age in the same population.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted using dental radiographs of 70 orthodontic patients (37 males, 33 females) in the age range 9-16 years selected by simple random sampling. pantomogram were used to estimate dental age by Demirjian's method and the Willems method using their scoring tables. Lateral cephalograms were used to estimate skeletal maturity using CVMI. The latter was compared with Demirjian's stage for mandibular left second molar.

Results:

Overestimation of age among males by 0.856 years and 0.496 years was found by Demirjian's and the Willems methods, respectively. Among females, both the methods underestimated the age by 0.31 years and 0.45 years, respectively. Demirjian's stage G corresponded to CVMI stage 3 in males and stage 2 in females.

Conclusion:

In our study, the Willems method has proved to be more accurate for age estimation among Indian males, and Demirjian's method for Indian females. A statistically significant association appeared between Demirjian's stages and CVMI among both males and females. Our study recommends the derivation of a regression formula by studying a larger section of the Indian population instead of applying the European system of age estimation directly to the Indian scenario.

Dental age assessment in 7-14-year-old Chinese children: comparison of Demirjian and Willems methods

Several approaches have proven be valuable in estimating dental age in children. The Demirjian method, based on crown and root calcification, is the most frequently used tool. The Willems method is a modification of the Demirjian method. There are few studies regarding to compare the application of the two methods in China. This study aims to apply the two methods in a Han population as well as identify if there are some differences between two methods in estimating dental age versus chronological age. Nine hundred forty-one orthopantomograms of 410 boys and 531 girls between seven and 14 years of age were selected from our patient records database with defined standard, and the Demirjian and Willems methods of dental age estimation were applied. The seven left mandibular teeth were scored and calculated in order to obtain the Demirjian and Willems estimated dental ages. It is suggested that the Demirjian method overestimated chronological age by 1.68 years for boys and 1.28 years for girls. The discrepancy between the Demirjian estimate and the chronological age was most frequently observed between 1 and 3.5 years for boys and between 1 and 2 years for girls. While it is indicted that the Willems method overestimated chronological age by 0.35 years for boys and underestimated the age by 0.02 years for girls. The discrepancy between chronological age and Willems estimated age was most frequently observed between -0.5 and 0.5 years for boys and between -1 and 0.5 years for girls. It is demonstrated that the Willems method was more accurate in estimating dental age than the Demirjian method, with a mean absolute error of 0.98 years for boys and 0.93 years for girls. As a result, it is highly recommended that the Willems method should be applied when estimating dental age in Chinese Han population, further modifications to the method are suggested.

Dental age estimation using Willems method: A digital orthopantomographic study

In recent years, age estimation has become increasingly important in living people for a variety of reasons, including identifying criminal and legal responsibility, and for many other social events such as a birth certificate, marriage, beginning a job, joining the army, and retirement.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the developmental stages of left seven mandibular teeth for estimation of dental age (DA) in different age groups and to evaluate the possible correlation between DA and chronological age (CA) in South Indian population using Willems method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Digital Orthopantomogram of 332 subjects (166 males, 166 females) who fit the study and the criteria were obtained. Assessment of mandibular teeth (from central incisor to the second molar on left quadrant) development was undertaken and DA was assessed using Willems method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The present study showed a significant correlation between DA and CA in both males (r = 0.71 and females (r = 0.88). The overall mean difference between the estimated DA and CA for males was 0.69 ± 2.14 years (P < 0.001) while for females, it was 0.08 ± 1.34 years (P > 0.05). Willems method underestimated the mean age of males by 0.69 years and females by 0.08 years and showed that females mature earlier than males in selected population. The mean difference between DA and CA according to Willems method was 0.39 years and is statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed significant relation between DA and CA. Thus, digital radiographic assessment of mandibular teeth development can be used to generate mean DA using Willems method and also the estimated age range for an individual of unknown CA.

Dental age assessment validity of radiographic methods on Serbian children population

In order to establish reliable age estimation method based on dental development, various correlations between chronological age and real growth were tested. Demirjian's scheme was mostly used, but lately the Willems' method has been found to be more reliable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Demirjian's and Willems' methods for dental age estimation in Serbian children population. The study sample encompassed panoramic radiographs of 686 children (322 boys and 364 girls) with age range from 4 to 15 years. The dental age was assed using Demirjian's and Willems' maturity scores. Statistical analysis was performed to test the accuracy of investigated methods by comparing the mean chronological and mean estimated age in total sample, as well as in each group comprising individuals within one-year-age-interval. Both methods showed discrepancy between obtained and chronological age. The Demirjian's method overestimated age with a mean accuracy of 0.45 in boys and 0.42 in girls, while Willems' method showed lower discrepancy (0.12 and 0.16 in boys and girls, respectively). Overall, both methods were unsatisfactory in some age groups, however, Willems' method provided more accurate age estimation in majority of categories. In summary, our results suggest that Willem's method was more accurate for estimating dental age in contemporary Serbian children population.