Dental Age
An estimate of a patient's biological age based on the developmental stages of tooth formation and eruption, as assessed from dental radiographs.
Full Definition
Dental age is determined by comparing a patient's tooth development (calcification stages and eruption patterns) with established population norms, most commonly using the Demirjian or Nolla staging systems. It is used in dentofacial orthopedics to plan treatment timing, particularly when chronological age and skeletal age diverge significantly. A patient who is dentally advanced may be closer to completing growth than their chronological age suggests, affecting decisions about functional appliance therapy or surgical referral. Editors must distinguish this term from 'skeletal age' (based on bone maturation) and 'chronological age' (based on birth date).
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish explicitly from 'skeletal age' and 'chronological age' wherever all three appear in the same document, as conflation is a common editorial error.
In Context
- "The patient's dental age was assessed as approximately 11 years, consistent with her skeletal age but two years ahead of her chronological age." — Growth assessment report
- "Dental age estimation was performed using the Demirjian method on a panoramic radiograph." — Forensic odontology case note