Authors
1 Assistant Professor. Department of Pediatrics, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2 Assistant Professor. Department of Radiology, School of Denistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
3 DDS Research Assistant, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
4 DDS, MS Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Background and Aim: 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.
Material and Method: 40 samples aged 8-13 were tested by their panoramic and handwrist radiographs.
Result and Conclusion: 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. (IJO 2006; 1: 58 - 60)
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