Dental age assessment of North Indian origin children using Nolla’s method in mandibular second molar

摘要

A cross-sectional study was done on 900 children of North Indian origin, (male = 458; female = 442) aged 10 to 16?years. Digital radiovisiography of permanent mandibular second molar was chosen over higher radiation extra oral projections used for whole arch-like orthopantogram. Each image was evaluated for mean dental age using Nolla’s method of age estimation and was compared to the mean chronological age of children in the study group. The study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of Nolla’s method of age estimation in the North Indian population. The mean dental age was found to be significantly underestimated by (1.8 ± 5.5) months in 900 children. The trend of underestimation was more in males ((2.5 ± 4.2) months) as compared to females ((1.1 ± 6.4) months). Both sexes showed underestimation of chronological age till 14?years. However, the dental age and chronological age became similar at 14?years, and overestimation of chronological age was observed afterwards (p value 0.001). Nolla’s method of age estimation using radiovisiograph for mandibular second molar is a reliable method in children of North Indian origin, although it underestimates the chronological age. After the average age of 14, dental age surpassed chronological age in the study group. In addition, permanent mandibular second molar was found to be a reliable tooth for dental age estimation.