Kvaal’s dental age estimation method applied to Brazilian adults—a cross-sectional test of validity

Dental age estimation of adults is a challenging procedure in forensic odontology. Radiographic techniques have enabled non-invasive age estimation of adults since the 90’s. Kvaal’s method based on the deposition of secondary dentin has demonstrated broad applicability in several populations. Population-specific studies with this method, however, are scarce in South America. This study tested the validity of Kvaal’s method in a sample of radiographs of Brazilian adults. The sample consisted of 192 periapical radiographs of 106 females (55.2%) and 86 males (44.8%) with ages between 20 and 80 years old. The permanent maxillary right (n = 84, 43.8%) and left (n = 108, 56.2%) central incisors were assessed based on Kvaal’s method.

Lin’s coefficient of concordance between estimated (EA) and chronological (CA) ages was 0.800 (IC95% = 0.753; 0.847) (p < 0.001). The mean difference between EA and CA was − 2.84 years (p < 0.001). For females and males, separately, the mean differences between EA and CA were − 3.82 years (CI95% =  − 5.38; − 2.25) (p < 0.001) and − 1.86 years (CI95% =  − 3.56; − 0.17) (p = 0.031), respectively. Underestimations were predominant and increased with time.

After 28 years of the original publication, Kvaal’s method remains reliable for non-invasive dental age estimation of adults, especially for the analysis of the permanent maxillary central incisors of Brazilian individuals.