Dental and Skeletal Indicators of Growth Spurt in Orthodontics

Aim: The aim was to confirm the correlation between chronological age, skeletal age according to X-ray picture of the hand and wrist, and the stages of teeth development, and to determine whether the assessment of teeth development can be used to establish the stage of growth of an individual. Material and method: 362 adolescents were included in the study; 180 boys between the age 11.5–15.5, 182 girls between the age 10.5–14.5. To assess teeth in OPG Demirjian’s classification was used. We assessed teeth 43, 44, 45 and 47 in the mandible, and 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18 in the maxilla. To assess radiographs of the hand and wrist Björk, Grave and Brown classification was applied. Results: The correlation of skeletal and dental age was proved. The highest correlation was found in lower permanent canine, both in girls and boys. S-stage in radiograph of the hand (the stage prior to the maximum growth spurt) corresponds to the stage of the lower canine root with parallel walls (G-stage according to Demirjian). Thus, in case OPG of lower permanent canine shows parallel walls of the root canal the maximum of growth spurt occurs within 0.5–1 year. The maximum growth spurt (MP3cap stage) and the following stages correspond to the situation when lower canine apex is closed (H-stage according to Demirjian). This can help us in the correct timing of orthodontic treatment. ORTODONCIE | ročník 33 | č. 2/2024 ODBORNÉ PRÁCE / ORGINAL ARTICLES Recenzovaný časopis České ortodontické společnosti 14 Conclusion: The assessment of the developmental stages of teeth, namely lower permanent canine, is used in the planning of orthodontic treatment, and can serve as