title: Assessment of the Pubertal Growth Period using the Open Apices of the Lower Teeth.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the open apex measurements of the lower teeth can be used for prediction of the pubertal growth spurt.
  
  
  
  The study group consisted of 150 males and 142 females ranging in age from 10 to 16 years. A total of 292 panoramic and 292 hand-wrist radiographs were obtained and analyzed. The skeletal maturity was determined according to the skeletal maturity indicators (SMIs) developed by Fishman. The open apices measurements of the left lower teeth were made according to the method described by Cameriere.
  
  
  
  The Spearman rank order correlation coefficient revealed a relationship between the skeletal maturity stages and the open apex measurements. These correlations ranged from 0.577 for the lower second premolar to 0.830 for the lower canine. The measurement of the left lower canine showed the highest correlation, so its relationship with the SMIs was further investigated. The measurements of 6.07 (or greater) indicated to SMI4, and 2.485 (or lesser) indicated to SMI7.
  
  
  
  The skeletal maturity well related to the measurements of the open apices of the lower teeth. Lower canine open apex measurements could be used as an indicator of the SMI4 and SMI7.
  
  
  
  The measurements of the open apices of the left lower canines from panoramic radiographs may be clinically useful as an indicator of the beginning and the ending of the pubertal growth period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Damascus University, Damascus Syrian Arab Republic.
authors.forename: Yousef N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Damascus University, Damascus Syrian Arab Republic, e-mail: dr.burhan-a@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ahmad S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Burhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Syrian Private University Damascus Countryside, Syrian Arab Republic.
authors.forename: Fehmieh R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Nawaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.
authors.forename: Lama G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Massouh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001846:Bone Development; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014953:Wrist / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Hand-wrist radiographs; Lower canine; Lower teeth; Open apices; Panoramic radiographs Pubertal growth period.