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

Abstract Background 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. Results Lin’s coefficient of concordance between estimated (EA) and chronological (CA) ages was 0.800 (IC95% = 0.753; 0.847) (p