title: Skeletal maturation evaluation using mandibular second molar calcification stages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate (1) the relationships between the stages of mandibular second molar calcification and skeletal maturity; and (2) whether second molar calcification stages can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool to determine skeletal maturity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples were derived from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 300 subjects (137 males and 163 females) with ages ranging from 9 to 18 years, and estimates of dental maturity (Demirjian Index [DI]) and skeletal maturity (cervical vertebrae maturation indicators [CVMI]) were made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A highly significant association (C*  =  0.854 for males and 0.866 for females) was found between DI and CVMI. DI stage E corresponded to stage 2 of CVMI (pre-peak of pubertal growth spurt) and DI stages F and G corresponded to stages 3 and 4 of CVMI (peak of pubertal growth spurt). DI stage H was associated with stages 5 and 6 of CVMI (end of pubertal growth spurt).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A highly significant association exists between DI and CVMI. Mandibular second molar DI stages are reliable indicators of skeletal maturity.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, PDM Dental College and Research Institute, Sarai Aurangabad, Bahadurgarh, Haryana, India. docshilu@yahoo.com
authors: Sushil
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Anu
authors: A
authors: Singla
authors: Rekha
authors: R
authors: Sharma
authors: Mandeep S
authors: MS
authors: Virdi
authors: Anant
authors: A
authors: Anupam
authors: Bindia
authors: B
authors: Mittal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth; D002508:Cephalometry; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000254:growth & development; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar / Q000254:growth & development*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology*