Considering the second primary molar as the sole clinical index of growth condition

ABSTRACT

Assessment of skeletal maturity is an integral part of interceptive diagnosis and treatment planning. The present method of skeletal maturity assessment like handwrist or cervical vertebrae radiographies are expensive,require elaborate equipment and account for high radiation exposure, especially for growing children. This study tried to consider the value of the 2nd primary molar in growth stage. 40 samples aged 8-13 were tested by their panoramic and handwrist radiographs. there was a coincidence between presence calcified sesamoid and 2nd primary molar as the last tooth. The result showed that it could be a reliable index to predict the growth stage in 1st visit without radiography