Misuse of hand-wrist radiographs.

What is the diagnostic value of a hand-wrist radiograph? In orthodontics, we use information about skeletal age to reduce the variability in timing of the facial growth spurt during adolescence. This brief review of the pertinent literature demonstrates a consistent sex difference in the relationship between skeletal age and facial growth. Although hand-wrist radiographs may provide some information of value to the orthodontist with male patients, the radiographic exposure is not justified for most females.