Comparison of methods for estimating the timing of linear enamel hypoplasia formation: Clinical validation against a known systemicevent

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) provides a permanent record of developmental disturbances during amelogenesis. This study compared four LEH age estimation methods against a documented systemic event. A 12-year-old Taiwanese girl with visible LEH on her maxillary central incisor had experienced a febrile convulsion at 1 year 7 months of age (1.58 years). Crown height (10.5 mm) and LEH distance from incisal edge (4.0 mm) were measured. Four methods were applied: chart method, Goodman and Rose regression equation, and Reid and Dean models (Northern European and Southern African). The Goodman and Rose regression method (1.55 years) demonstrated highest accuracy with only 1.9 % deviation from actual timing. The chart method (2.5–3.0 years) and Reid and Dean models (2.7–3.1 years) overestimated by 58–96 %. The Goodman and Rose regression method provided superior accuracy for estimating LEH formation timing. Appropriate method selection is crucial for accurate age estimation in pediatric dental practice.