Introduction
For the purposes of orthodontic treatment planning, skeletal age is determined on lateral teleradiography (TRG) by the morphological characteristics of the second, third, and fourth cervical vertebrae and is a valuable diagnostic tool for determining the beginning of orthodontic treatment.
Аim
The aim of the present study was to determine the skeletal age of children in different age groups of 7 to 17 years by the degree of maturity of the cervical spine.
Materials and Methods
On 320 digital TRGs, the skeletal age of children of 7–17 years was determined. They were divided into 11 age groups by the method of Baccetti et al.
Results
In boys, cervical maturity stages (CMS) I and II were observed in the majority of children up to 12 years of age. Cervical maturity stages III and IV that coincide with the peak of puberty were between the ages 13 and 14. In the group of 15-year-old CMS V dominated. Among 17-year-old boys, none had reached CMS VI. In girls, CMS I and II were observed in the majority of children up to 10 years of age and CMS III and IV—between the ages of 10 and 12. In the group of 13-year-olds CMS V dominated. Among 17-year-old girls, all examined had reached CMS VI.
Conclusion
In case the clinician does not have TRG, chronological age could be used to define the stage of growth and development. For Bulgarian children, the optimal age for orthopedic correction of the upper jaw is up to 11 years for girls and 13 years for boys, or CMS I–CMS II). The peak of mandibular growth, CMS III–CMS IV) is between 10 and 12 years for girls and 13 and 14 years. for boys.
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