A comparison of tooth development between Iraqi and French-Canadian children aged 4–14 years

Abstract

Background: Tooth development is very important in pedodontic and orthodontic practices and even in forensic dentistry. Demirjian and Goldstein Maturation Standard proved its significance in many countries around the world. Purpose: This study is a comparison of tooth development between French-Canadian children and Iraqi children using the Demirjian method. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using 223 orthopantomograms (OPGs) for Iraqi patients aged 4–14 years (118 boys and 105 girls). The maturity standard developed by Demirjian and Goldstein (1973) was used. Then the dental age (DA) for each chronological age (CA) in all age groups was compared with the Demirjian and Goldstein maturation standard for French-Canadian children. Statistical analysis: SPSS was used. The statistical significance between Iraqi DA (IDA) and Demirjian DA (DDA) was tested using T-test at level p ≤ 0.05 was significant. Results: There was a significant underestimation in the CA range 4–7 years and a significant overestimation in the age range 8–11 years of Iraqi girls. While the girls CA of 12–14 years were the same DA as the French-Canadian children. The DAs of the Iraqi boys significantly precede those of French-Canadian boys at CA 4–7 years and significantly overestimated the Iraqi boys at 9, 10, and 12 years, while in boys at ages 8, 11, 13, and 14 years, there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: For dental development, Iraq must have Iraqi-specific standards.