A Comparison of Demirjian and Cameriere Methods in Estimating Age and Development of a Modified Cameriere Method

Background: In recent years, age estimation in forensic medicine has become so important. Teeth are used to estimate age as valuable indicators. Objectives: This study aimed to compare Cameriere and Demirjian methods in estimating chronological age (Age) in an Iranian population and to develop a modified Cameriere method. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated a total of 486 panoramic radiographs of individuals aged 5 - 15 years adopted from two craniofacial radiology centers in Babol, northern Iran, in 2019. The dental age of subjects was assessed by Demirjian (DAge) and Cameriere (CAge) methods and compared with their chronological age. Also, a formula was designed based on the Cameriere method for our studied population, and the results of the original and modified Cameriere (MCAge) methods were compared. Results: The mean ± SD of Age (10.38 ± 2.30) had a significant difference with DAge (10.67 ± 2.33) and CAge (9.77 ± 2.01) (P < 0.001). The modified Cameriere formula was more accurate than Cameriere one, and MCAge was 10.38 ± 2.12, indicating no significant difference with Age (P = 0.993). Conclusions: According to our results, both Demirjian and Cameriere methods were not reliable for age estimation in the Iranian population. However, the modified Cameriere formula had a very high accuracy in estimating the age of the studied population.