Detection of skeletal maturity using periapical radiographs (A study on Iraqi growing sample)

Abstract

Background: Among different treatment modalities of skeletal malocclusion, growth modification is the interceptiveprocedure undertaken in a growing child. For the growth modification to be successful it is absolutely essential that itshould be initiated at the right time. This study aimed to verify the possibility of clinical employment of thedevelopmental stage of middle phalanx of the middle finger and that of mandibular second molar in thedetermination of maturity in both genders.Materials and method: The sample consists of 216 Iraqi subjects, 108 males and 108 females, for each subject twoperiapical radiographical films were used, one for mandibular left second molar and the other for the middlephalanx of the middle finger, to determine their developmental stage according to the method described byDemirjian et al (1973) for ossification of teeth, and Hagg and Taranger (1982) that later modified by adding E ¾ stagegiven by Leite et al (1987) to describe the relation of epiphysis to metaphysis in the middle phalanx of the middlefinger.Results: A high significant correlations were found among chronological age, in years, calcification stages ofmandibular left second molar , and developmental stages of middle finger (P<0.000), with a higher puberty stage infemale than in male within the same dental calcification stage.Conclusion: The maturity stage of growing subject can be detected depending on calcification stage of mandibular2nd molar using periapical radiograph.