Application of the Demirjian Classification Scheme in a Selected South African Population: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: In recent years, forensic age estimation gained significance owing to the rising incidence of violence, motor vehicle accidents, and mass disasters. Human dentition is a key component in biological profiling, with factors such as genetics, sex, and population affinity influencing its development and eruption. Dentition development is currently recognized as one of the most effective methods for estimating chronological age in young individuals. The Demirjian method is widely used in pediatric dentistry. However, its accuracy varies across different populations and/or regions. This paper explores the applicability of the Demirjian method in estimating dental age in a select KwaZulu-Natal sample of South Africa. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized 480 digital panoramic radiographs aged between 5.00 and 16.99 years (n = 480:240 South African Black and 240 South African Indian). Consecutive sampling was implemented, and radiographs were evenly distributed among the aforementioned population groups, including sexes and all age cohorts. Using the CareStream (CS) Imaging Software, each digital panoramic radiograph was assessed using the Demirjian method. Results: This study found that the Demirjian method overestimates dental age for the selected South African sample. It is recommended that population-specific norms should be utilized when estimating dental age in the South African population groups to avoid over or underestimation of dental age. In addition, a combination of more than one dental age estimation method should be utilized to obtain more accurate results. Conclusion: To conclude, this study’s findings enhance the existing literature and may prove valuable in forensic and medicolegal contexts.