Assessment of skeletal maturity using the permanent mandibular canine calcification stages

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess, (1) the relationship between cervical vertebrae maturation and mandibular canine calcification stages; and (2) whether the mandibular canine calcification stages can be used as indicators to determine skeletal maturity. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was designed. A null hypothesis was proposed that there was no relationship between cervical vertebrae maturation and the mandibular canine calcification stages. Pre-treatment orthopantomograms (OPGs) and lateral cephalograms of 99 males and 110 females of Rwanda ethnicity were selected. The cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI) proposed by Hassel and Farman was used to evaluate the skeletal maturation level, and the mandibular canine calcification stages were assessed with the Demirjian Index (DI). Results: A significant association was found between the CVMI and DI stages, as evaluated by the Pearson contingency coefficient values (0.599 for males and 0.719 for females). Canine stage F in males and canine stage E in females could represent the CVMI 2 stage and indicate the onset of a period of accelerating growth. Conclusions: The mandibular canine calcification stages might be clinically used as maturity indicators of the pubertal growth period, but only during the onset and accelerating phases.