Dental Age Estimation In Children Using Willems Method And Its Correlation With Chronological Age: A Digital Orthopantomographic Study

ABSTRACT

Aim and Objective: To assess the developmental stages of seven mandibular left teeth for estimation of dental age (DA )in children aged 8-16 years of south Kerala origin and to evaluate the possible correlation between DA and chronological age (CA) using Willems method. Materials and methods: Digital OPGs of 60 subjects (30 males and 30 females) who fit the study criteria were obtained .Assessment of mandibular teeth (31-37) development was undertaken and DA was assessed using Willems method. Results and Conclusion: There was significant correlation between DA and CA in both males (r=0.847) and females (r=0.801).The overall mean differences between DA and CA was 0.5 ± 1.2 with a gender variability as 0.330 ± 1.045 for males and 0.603 ± 1.417 for females.