title: Evaluation of skeletal maturation using mandibular third molar development in Indian adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done with the following objectives: to estimate dental maturity using the Demirjian Index (DI) for the mandibular third molar; to investigate the relationship between dental maturity and skeletal maturity among growing patients; to evaluate the use of the mandibular third molar as an adjunctive tool for adolescent growth assessment in combination with the cervical vertebrae; to evaluate the clinical value of the third molar as a growth evaluation index.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples were derived from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 615 subjects (300 males and 315 females) of ages ranging 9-18 years, and estimates of dental maturity (DI) and skeletal maturity [cervical vertebrae maturation indicators (CVMI)] were made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A highly significant association (r = 0.81 for males and r = 0.72 for females) was found between DI and CVMI. DI Stage B corresponded to Stage 2 of CVMI (prepeak of pubertal growth spurt) in both sexes. In males, DI stages C and D represent the peak of the pubertal growth spurt. In females, stages B and C show that the peak of the pubertal growth spurt has not been passed. DI stage E in females and DI Stage F in males correlate that the peak of the pubertal growth spurt has been passed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A highly significant association exists between DI and CVMI. Mandibular third molar DI stages are reliable adjunctive indicators of skeletal maturity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Government Dental College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Nishit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, AMC Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Dolly
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Falguni
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Jaipur Dental College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Bhaskar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: DDS Student, University of Pacific, Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: Grishma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaveri
authors.affiliation: DDS Student, UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Unnati
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: Dental maturity; lateral cephalogram; mandibular third molar; orthopantomogram; skeletal maturity