Dental calcification stages as determinants of the peak growth period.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of dental maturation stages for identifying individual-specific skeletal maturation phases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Prior to initiating this study, 255 orthodontic patients comprising 145 girls and 110 boys from the Department of Orthodontics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece were identified. Lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs were evaluated. Dental calcification stages were assessed according to the Demirjian method and skeletal maturation according to the cervical vertebral maturation stage (CVMS) method. Statistical assessments included Spearman Brown formula, descriptive statistics, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, and positive likelihood ratios (LHRs). RESULTS: The highest (r = 0.725) correlations were found for second molars and the lowest correlation for canines (r = 0.463, p < 0.001). Positive LHR values exceeding ten were found to identify the pre-peak growth phase in conjunction with the second molar (stage D), second premolar (stage E), and first premolar (stages D and E). Only the second molar (stage F) yielded positive LHR values for identifying the peak growth phase. The positive LHR values for the second molar also facilitated identification of the post-peak growth phase (stage H). Taking the clinical diagnostic efficacy of the second molar into account in identifying these growth phases, we calculated the positive LHRs of the second molar to determine dental maturation stages for diagnosing CVMS II and III. Positive LHR values greater than 10 identified CVMS II (stage D). CONCLUSION: Evaluating dental maturation is a useful initial diagnostic step when assessing skeletal growth. The calcification stages of the second molar provide reliable diagnostic information with which to determine the pubertal growth spurt.

Dental and Chronological Ages as Determinants of Peak Growth Period and Its Relationship with Dental Calcification Stages.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between dental, chronological, and cervical vertebral maturation growth in the peak growth period, as well as to study the association between the dental calcification phases and the skeletal maturity stages during the same growth period. METHODS: Subjects were selected from orthodontic pre-treatment cohorts consisting of 420 subjects where 255 were identified and enrolled into the study, comprising 145 girls and 110 boys. The lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs were examined from the archives of the Department of Orthodontics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Dental age was assessed according to the method of Demirjian, and skeletal maturation according to the Cervical Vertebral Maturation Method. Statistical elaboration included Spearman Brown formula, descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient and regression analysis, paired samples t-test, and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Chronological and dental age showed a high correlation for both gender(r =0.741 for boys, r = 0.770 for girls, p<0.001). The strongest correlation was for the CVM Stage IV for both males (r=0.554) and females (r=0.68). The lowest correlation was for the CVM Stage III in males (r=0.433, p<0.001) and for the CVM Stage II in females (r=0.393, p>0.001). The t-test revealed statistically significant differences between these variables (p<0.001) during the peak period. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.001) between tooth calcification and CVM stages was determined. The second molars showed the highest correlation with CVM stages (CVMS) (r= 0.65 for boys, r = 0.72 for girls). CONCLUSION: Dental age was more advanced than chronological for both boys and girls for all CVMS. During the peak period these differences were more pronounced. Moreover, all correlations between skeletal and dental stages were statistically significant. The second molars showed the highest correlation whereas the canines showed the lowest correlation for both gender.

Growth Hormone and Craniofacial Tissues. An update.

Growth hormone is an important regulator of bone homeostasis. In childhood, it determines the longitudinal bone growth, skeletal maturation, and acquisition of bone mass. In adulthood, it is necessary to maintain bone mass throughout life. Although an association between craniofacial and somatic development has been clearly established, craniofacial growth involves complex interactions of genes, hormones and environment. Moreover, as an anabolic hormone seems to have an important role in the regulation of bone remodeling, muscle enhancement and tooth development. In this paper the influence of growth hormone on oral tissues is reviewed.

A review of early displaced maxillary canines: etiology, diagnosis and interceptive treatment.

Impaction of maxillary canines is a frequently encountered clinical problem the treatment of which usually requires an interdisciplinary approach. Surgical exposure of the impacted tooth and the complex orthodontic mechanisms that are applied to align the tooth into the arch may lead to varying amounts of damage to the supporting structures of the tooth, not to mention the long treatment duration and the financial burden to the patient. Hence, it seems worthwhile to focus on the means of early diagnosis and interception of this clinical situation. In the present article, theories related with the etiology of impacted canines and predictive variables of canine impaction in the mixed dentition are reviewed with an insight into current interceptive treatment modalities.