Association between dental and skeletal maturation in Scandinavian children born between 2005 and 2010.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the association between dental and skeletal maturation in children born between 2005 and 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental and skeletal maturation of 117 ethnic Scandinavian children born between 2005 and 2010 (70 girls, 47 boys, mean age 11.48 years) was analysed. Dental maturation (DM) was assessed on orthopantomographs (OPs) by using Demirjian's and Haavikko's methods while skeletal maturation was assessed on hand-wrist radiographs by use of Helm's method. The correlation between skeletal and DM was analysed using Spearman's rho (Rs). Additionally, the most frequent DM stage in relation to the skeletal maturation stage was analysed by logistic regression adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: The correlation between dental and skeletal maturation was significant for all teeth (Rs = 0.071-0.562; p < .000-p = .035) except for the first incisor and the first molar. Logistic regression analysis showed that when the mandibular and maxillary canines are (3/4) mineralized, this is significantly associated with the beginning of the adolescent period before peak height velocity (PHV) (PP2= p < .005-< .05). Likewise, when the mandibular second premolars are (3/4) mineralized, this is significantly associated with the maturation stage PP2= or S (PP2= p < .05, S: p < .005-< .05), both of which are before PHV at the beginning of the adolescent period. LIMITATIONS: Limited sample size and the X-rays were taken before orthodontic treatment, which may have introduced a selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: When the root of the canines or second premolars is (3/4) mineralized, it may indicate the beginning of the adolescent period with increased skeletal growth intensity.