title: Utility of panoramic radiography for identification of the pubertal growth period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our aim in this study was to investigate the association between dental mineralization stages and the periods of the pubertal growth spurt (PGS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included panoramic and hand-wrist radiographs from 491 subjects (222 boys, 269 girls) aged 7 to 17 years. Dental development was rated, and skeletal maturation was evaluated. The relevant associations were investigated by analysis of ordinal multinomial logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The second molar (odds ratio [OR] = 4.34) and the first premolar (OR = 2.45) were the best growth predictors for girls. For boys, the second molar (OR = 6.80), second premolar (OR = 2.41), and canine (OR = 3.21) proved to be the best predictors. Stages D and E of the second molar for girls, and stages E and F for boys, corresponded to the onset of the accelerated growth spurt. Stage F of the second molar for girls and stage G for boys corresponded to the peak of the PGS. At the end of the PGS, most teeth had already attained apical closure. In girls, however, most second molars were found at stage G.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An association exists between the dental mineralization stages and the periods of the PGS, especially for second molars. Panoramic radiographs can be used as the first diagnostic tool to estimate the pubertal growth period.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate student, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Radiology Area, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: lu_jacome@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Luciana Jácome
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate student, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Radiology Area, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Gamba
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Radiology Area, Rio de Janeiro Dental School, University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Augusta Portella Guedes
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Visconti
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Community Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Glaucia Maria Bovi
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ambrosano
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haiter-Neto
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Deborah Queiroz
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Freitas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods; D000366:Age Determination by Teeth / Q000379:methods; D000566:Amelogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D003810:Dentinogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D014074:Tooth Calcification / Q000502:physiology; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development