Utility of radiomorphometrics indexes of the mandible for age estimation in adults.

INTRODUCTION: the mandible undergoes changes in morphology and density related to the aging process. These changes are measured by radiomorphometric indices that allow inferring bone density indirectly. Also, the age estimation process in adults is challenging since the modifications in the anatomical structures are gradual and require long intervals of time to be noticeable. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of radiomoformometric indices of the mandible in age estimation in adults. The sample consisted of 230 digital panoramic radiographs of individuals of both genders (115 men and 115 women), with chronological ages between 20 and 81 years, where radiomorphometric indices were obtained in the premolar region and the mandible ramus, using the software ImageJ. An analysis of variance was conducted considering individuals' gender and age group classification categories with Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: a downward trend was observed in means indices values for the older age groups, showing lower values for females. Based on the interaction detected between gender and age groups, multiple regression models were applied to estimate age. These showed a better adjustment for males between 50 and 59 years (R2=82,85%) and males over 60 (R2=80,16%). CONCLUSIONS: the radiomorphometric indices used in this study allowed to infer age from 50 years onwards in males.

Maduración dentaria en jovenes venezolanos estimada mediante el método de demirjian y colaboradores / Dental maturation in venezuelan young estimated though demirjian et al method

El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la maduración dentaria en jóvenes venezolanos estimada mediante el método de Demirjian y cols. Se analizaron 284 radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de ambos sexos con edades cronológicas entre 8- 20 años. Se estudio la maduración dentaria de los 7 dientes inferiores izquierdos de acuerdo a los estadios del método de Demirjian y cols. y se calculó la edad dentaria. Se obtuvieron la media y la desviación estándar de la edad cronológica (EC) y la ED, la media de la EC a la cual se observaron los diferentes estadios de maduración y diferencias de medias entre la EC y la ED calculada. Al comparar las medias de las edades cronológicas en las que se observaron los estadios de maduración dentaria, las hembras tuvieron un desarrollo más avanzado que los varones. Se evidencio que el 100% de madurez dentaria, comienza a alcanzase alrededor de lo 13-14 años en la muestra estudiada. Contrastando la media de la EC con la ED, pudo verificarse que en ambos sexos, existe una consistente subestimación de la edad a partir de los 16 años, por ello en una submuestra de los grupos 8-16 se obtuvieron las diferencias de media entre la EC y ED, y se encontró una sobrestimación de la edad, estadísticamente significativa (-0,66 ±1,14 varones; -0,40± 1,38 hembras). Los datos del presente trabajo podrían ser utilizados como referencia de la maduración dentaria de los individuos de la muestra...

The aim of the present investigation was to study the dentaria maturation of Venezuelan young estimated though Demirjian´s et al. method. Two hundred and eighty four dentaria panoramic radiographs from patients of both sexes, with chronological ages between 8-20 years, were analyzed. Dentaria maturation of the 7 left lower teeth was calculated, according to the stages proposed by Demirjian et al. and dentaria age was calculated (DA) following the method of the author. Mean values and standard deviation of the chronological age (CA) and DA, by age group, mean of the CA to which different stages of maturation were observed and mean differences between the CA and the DA, were calculated. When comparing the mean chronological ages witch the dentaria maturation stages were observed; females had more advanced development than males. It was noticed that 100% of dentaria maturity, was reached out around 13-14 years in the studied sample. Contrasting mean CA with DA, it could be confirmed that in both sexes, there is a consistent underestimation of age from 16 years, so in a subsample of 8-16 groups mean differences between the EC and ED were obtained, and found an statistically significant overestimation of age (males -0.66 ± 1.14, females -0.40 ± 1.38). The data presented here could be used as a reference for dentaria maturation of the individuals in the sample...