A study on menarche and skeletal maturity among various malocclusion groups

Kim, Kyung Ho; Baik, Hyoung Seon; Son, Eun Sue

Abstract

In order to correct a maxillofacial-skeletal disharmony successfully and achieve a favorable facial profile, orthodontic treatment must begin at pubertal growth spurt. Therefore predicting the pubertal growth pattern and evaluating the growth potential is very important For an orthodontist, estimating skeletal maturity in relation to one's personal growth spurt is essential and it must be considered into the treatment. The objective of this study was to find out whether there was a difference in menacheal age among different malocclusion groups and to evaluate the skeletal maturity at menarche. The subjects were 64 Class I malocclusion patients, 51 Class 1I patients and 38 Class III patients. Skeletal maturity was estimated from handwrist radiographs of these patients. Handwrist radiographs were taken between 3 months before and after the menarche. The results were as follows. 1. The mean chronologic age of menarche was 12.50+/-1.01 years. 2. For the Class I malocclusion group the mean age cf menarche was 12.36+/-1.04 years, for Class II 12.81+/-1,03 years and for Class III 12.32+/-0.82 years. According to these results Class II malocclusion patients started mensturation later than Class I and. Class III malocclusion patients. 3. No difference was found considering the skeletal maturity at menarche among the malocclusion groups. 4. The skeletal maturity index at menarche was SMI 7 for 45.10%, SMI 8 for 27.25%, SW 9 for 10.46%, SMI 6 for 7.84%, SMI 10 for 7.84% and SMI 5 for 1.31% patients. 5. Statistically there was a significant correlation between skeletal maturity estimated by handwrist radiographs and menacheal age( P<0.05, r-0.25430).