The relationship between dental and skeletal maturity.

OBJECT

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the relationships between dental and skeletal maturity, primarily whether it is possible to assess skeletal maturity by dental maturity without reference to hand-wrist radiographs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Research was carried out with a representative sample of 422 children (276 girls, 146 boys) aged 91-168 months. The investigated materials included a pre-treatment left hand-wrist radiograph plus dental panoramic and periapical radiographs.

RESULTS

Spearman rank-order correlation analysis showed that a rho value of 0.588 between skeletal maturity level and lower first premolars was the lowest, and a rho value of 0.800 between skeletal maturity level and body height the highest in girls. In boys, a rho value of 0.474 between skeletal maturity level and upper canine was the lowest, and a rho value of 0.761 between skeletal maturity level and body height the highest.

CONCLUSION

The relationship between dental maturity and skeletal maturity is not sufficient for dental maturity to be used as a substitute for skeletal maturity.