Correlação entre idade cronológica e grau de mineralização do terceiro molar inferior a partir do método de Demirjian em pacientes da região norte no estado do Ceará

Abstract

Radiographic techniques have always been extremely useful for the analysis of human bone maturation, being fundamental in estimating chronological age. One of the most utilized methods for this assessment was initially proposed by Demirjian, Goldstein, and Tanner in 1973, which relied on the observation of radiographs identifying teeth with eight stages of calcification, ranging from - A to H-. The aim of this study is to correlate chronological age with the degree of mineralization of the 3rd molar in patients from the North region of the Ceará State using the Demirjian method. A retrospective study was conducted involving the analysis of panoramic radiographs from the image bank of the Integrated Center of Dental Radiology in Sobral (CIROS). The sample included radiographs of patients aged between 8 and 21 years, of both sexes, and presenting at least 1 lower third molar. Radiographs of low quality, high distortion, and those with lesions associated with the evaluated teeth were excluded. Out of the 1000 evaluated radiographs, 300 were included. For each stage (A to H), the minimum, mean, and maximum age were found in both sexes. The youngest age found with the formation of the lower third molar was 8 years and the stage significantly associated with the age group greater than or equal to 18 years was H (p=0.000).The female gender was more prevalent in almost all stages; however, the development of the third molar was earlier in males (p=0,398). The radiographic evaluation of the maturation degree of the third molar produces useful images and is a non-invasive and easily standardized method. In addition to its relevance for clinical procedures, applications in forensic contexts, and our broader understanding of human growth and evolution.