The relationship between dental and skeletal maturity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the relationships between dental and skeletal maturity, primarily whether it is possible to assess skeletal maturity by dental maturity without reference to hand-wrist radiographs.


METHODS
Research was carried out with a representative sample of 422 children (276 girls, 146 boys) aged 91-168 months. The investigated materials included a pre-treatment left hand-wrist radiograph plus dental panoramic and periapical radiographs.


RESULTS
Spearman rank-order correlation analysis showed that a rho value of 0.588 between skeletal maturity level and lower first premolars was the lowest, and a rho value of 0.800 between skeletal maturity level and body height the highest in girls. In boys, a rho value of 0.474 between skeletal maturity level and upper canine was the lowest, and a rho value of 0.761 between skeletal maturity level and body height the highest.


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between dental maturity and skeletal maturity is not sufficient for dental maturity to be used as a substitute for skeletal maturity.
Sahin Sağlam
Aynur Medine
AM
Department of Orthodontics, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. assaglam@hotmail.com
Gazilerli
Umit
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging