Duration of the pubertal peak in skeletal class I , class II - div 1 , div 2 and class III subjects - A cephalometric study

The purpose of this study is to predict the accurate timings for pubertal growth peaks for Class I, Class II Div 1, Div 2 and Class III. Comparisons are made between the period of the pubertal growth peak in Class I, Class II –Div 1, Div 2 and Class III subjects. This would help the orthodontist in the following ways: 1) For predicting correct treatment time for all malocclusions. 2) For benefiting the patient by guiding the growth modification treatment during the favorable time in a balanced and harmonious manner. 3) To assess skeletal age and pubertal growth spurts are of prime importance in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, for diagnosis, treatment planning, and retention. This study has used the Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CVM) technique for the finding of the peak in growth of mandible, based on the scrutinizing and analysising of the second through fourth cervical vertebrae in a single cephalogram. The lateral cephalograms of orthodontically untreated or new subjects/ patients, ages 8 through 18 years, were studied. The CVM stage on each radiograph was assessed and evaluated according to the Baccetti et al method. Skeletal relationship was evaluated by Steiner’s analysis (By Steiner's analysis: ANB (A point, Nasion, B point) shows whether the relationship amongst the maxilla and mandible is normal (skeletal class I relationship (+ 2 degrees), a skeletal Class II (+4 degrees or more), or skeletal Class III (0 or negative). The Duration of pubertal peak in Class I was 5 months longer than class II patients and 6 months shorter than class III patients. The pubertal peak for Class I subjects lasted 1 year 4 months (in agreement with previous indications of the literature) whereas in subjects with Class II div 1& div 2 malocclusion it lasted for a shorter period (11 months) and Class III malocclusion it persisted for a longer period (1 year 10 months).