Age Related Changes in the Morphology of Cervical Vertebrae in Adolescent Period of Development

Cervical vertebrae shape has been proposed as a diagnostic factor for assessing skeletal maturation in orthodontic patients, while Chronologic age is considered a poor indicator of adolescent development. The aim of the study was to correlate the chronologic age with maturational changes in cervical vertebral morphology. The study was conducted on 100 patients (36 males and 64 females) in the age range of 9 to15 years (mean age 12.77 ± 1.54). To define vertebral stages, morphological evaluation of three cervical vertebrae (2nd to 4th) was done. The modified version of CVMS (Stage I-V) was used in the study. The spearman rank correlation between chronologic age and cervical vertebral maturation stages was 0.690 (P<.001). CVM method is more predictable than chronological age alone in establishment of appropriate timing and types of orthodontic treatment.