New regression models for dental age estimation in children using third molar maturity index: A preliminary analysis testing its usefulness as reliable age marker

This paper concerns a method to estimate age in children using third molar maturity index (I3M) as independent variable and age as the dependent variable. Total of 1283 digital orthopantomograms (OPTs) of south Indian children aged between 7 and 22 years was included. Training sample of 933 OPTs was used to derive regression formulae, and validation sample of 350 OPTs used to verify accuracy of newly derived regression models. Regression analysis performed revealed that cubic function gave the best correlation between the studied variables. The models exhibited a high correlation coefficient for third molar development in both sexes (0.81 for boys and 0.84 for girls). When new models were verified, slight overestimation of dental age i.e., 0.2 years in boys and 0.13 years in girls was observed. Therefore, we conclude by recommending newly derived regression models as they provided better age predicting performances.