Estimation of pubertal growth using Hand-Wrist radiographs and Orthopantomographs (prospective study)

Abstract

The present study tried to verify the most familiar method to orthodontist for
pubertal stage estimation which is very important in orthodontic diagnosis and plan by
using Hand – Wrist radiographs and Orthopantomography (OPG). The sample of this
study has been selected from patients who were attending the Orthodontic department
and Pedodontic and Preventive Dentistry department at the College of Dentistry –
Baghdad University. Before starting the study a legal approval was obtained and the
objective of the study was explained to the parents of each participant. The sample
consisted of 90 subjects (45 females and 45 males), of certain criteria, between 10 and
16 years of age. The subjects of the sample were of Iraqi Arab origin; the radiographs
were interpreted by specialist radiologist. Developmental stage of mandibular left 2nd
molar show a higher correlation with skeletal maturation stage of hand and wrist
bones (r=0.9) than the canine (r=0.7) for both males and females and can be
considered as reliable indicator for maturational stage of individual. The skeletal age
is matched the chronological age at the pubertal growth spurt approximately 12 years
for females and 14 years for males, and then the sample had a tendency towards
advanced maturation with mean skeletal age of the participating subjects being greater
than the chronological age at the maturity stages. Developmental stage of mandibular
left 2nd molar might be considered as reliable indicator for maturational stage of
individual, For the sample of this study, the skeletal age is matched the chronological
age at the pubertal growth spurt approximately 12 years for females and 14 years for
males.