Tooth coronal index and a new staging system for dental age estimation in southern Turkish population

Abstract

Dental age indicators should be evaluated in different populations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated age results of tooth coronal index (TCI) and to develop a new staging system using panoramic radiography for the southern Turkish population. The study group consisted of panoramic radiographs of 1000 individuals aged 11–77 years. The study group was divided into four subgroups according to age of patients: Group 1 (11–18 years of age), Group 2 (18–29 years), Group 3 (30–50 years), Group 4 (51–77 years). The mandibular first molar was measured. TCI and a new staging system were assessed in the southern Turkish population by two observers. The novel model includes six new parameters. Multiple regression models, intraclass correlation coefficient and Durbin-Watson analysis were used. The estimation error of TCI and the novel model were 14.25 and 11.04, respectively. The parameters of the novel model were more powerful than TCI’s. There was no significant difference in sex. For both methods, the estimated age in Group 3 (between 30–50 years) provides the highest accuracy in all age groups. The results showed that the novel age estimation model is more reliable in the southern Turkish population.