title: Incremental growth of the maxillary tuberosity from 6 to 20 years-A cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the maxillary tuberosity (MT) is a major growth site of the maxilla, its time-related growth was not fully investigated. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the MT growth from 6 to 20 years of age defining the peak growth age and to assess time-related indicators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Panoramic radiographs from 189 patients were divided in a cross-sectional study into six age groups. A special panoramic analysis was developed including 18 parameters and 3 time-related indicators, i.e., chronological age, crown/root development stages of the maxillary second (M(2)) and third (M(3)) molars and eruption stages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 6 to 20 years, the MT vertical growth was 5.17-fold greater than the horizontal. The horizontal growth covered 36% of the maxillary growth but was inadequate to secure space for third molar eruption despite a 51% increase in MT area. MT peak growth was between 8 and 9 years and 10-11 year. During these 14 years, the maxillary length increased by pneumatisation of the maxillary sinus (86%), growth of the MT (36%) and decrease of the anterior maxillary region (-22%). Of the 18 examined parameters, 83% showed dependency to the combination chronological age with M(2), M(3) crown/root development stage and 72% to the combination chronological age with M(2), M(3) eruption stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MT growth peak occurs with initiation of root development of M(2) and shortly before M(2) eruption (8-9 years to 10-11 years). Dental time-related indicators adjunct with the chronological age provide an effectual system to define MT growth potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. andyva@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Alexander Dan
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vardimon
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shoshani
authors.forename: Nir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shpack
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reimann
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourauel
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brosh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000254:growth & development; D008963:Molar / Q000254:growth & development; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000254:growth & development; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000254:growth & development; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000254:growth & development; D055815:Young Adult