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. 2021 Feb 23;9(2):237.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare9020237.

Age Estimation Using the Cameriere Methods of Open Apices: A Meta-Analysis

Sorin Hostiuc  1 , Ioana Diaconescu  2 , Mugurel Constantin Rusu  3 , Ionut Negoi  4
Affiliations

Age Estimation Using the Cameriere Methods of Open Apices: A Meta-Analysis

Sorin Hostiuc et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the actual variability of the mean difference between chronological and dental age using the Cameriere method of open apices and to test its accuracy in variable age groups.

Method: We selected studies that contained data about the mean, standard deviation, and number of cases for chronological age, dental age and gender. We used a random-effects model. Statistical significance was estimated, at a p < 0.05, using prediction intervals. For the analysis of publication bias we used the funnel plot and Egger's regression test for plot asymmetry. I2 was used to test the presence of heterogeneity between studies. The Z test was used to test for statistical differences between subgroups, with p < 0.05 being considered statistically significant. We also used 95% for confidence intervals and prediction intervals.

Results: In boys, the average difference between chronological and dental age was 0.44 (0.26-0.63) years, while in girls the average difference between chronological and dental age was 0.34 (0.19-0.49) years. In the 6-7 years age group and in the 14-15 years age group, there was a statistically significant difference between dental and chronological age. Our study shows that the Cameriere method is useful for estimating the chronological age, with errors of less than one year.

Conclusions: The Cameriere method of evaluating dental age using open apices is sufficiently accurate for forensic practice, at least in the 7-14 age-interval.

Keywords: Cameriere; age estimation; meta-analysis; open apices.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow-chart. Reprinted with permission from ref. [26]. Copyright 2009 the Creative Commons Attribution License. (www.prisma-statement.org (accessed on 17 February 2021)).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot—Cameriere, boys, overall (boys).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot—Cameriere, boys, overall (girls).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Q-Q Plot. Average differences between age groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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