The Correlation between Quantitative Cervical Vertebral Maturation and Mandibular Dimensions in Children Aged 8-16 Years: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Abstract

Background: During growth modification, the mandible plays a crucial role in functional orthopaedic treatment. To maximize the efficacy and efficiency of functional appliance therapy, one must know when to initiate treatment. To maximize the efficacy and efficiency of functional appliance therapy, one must know when to initiate treatment. To accurately determine when to initiate functional appliance therapy, the contemporary maturity indicators utilised are subjective with poor reproducibility and validity. Quantitative cervical vertebral maturity indicators are quantitative with good reproducibility. Objective: To determine the correlation between quantitative cervical vertebral maturation and mandibular dimensional changes in 8–18-year-old growing children. Material and Method: In this prospective cross-sectional analytical study, 164 samples were employed with an age range of 8–18 years. Samples were divided into four groups as per the quantitative cervical vertebral maturity indicator. Pubertal staging was analysed utilising the Li Chang, et al. method on a lateral cephalometric radiograph, and mandibular dimensions were measured as the total mandibular length of a condylon-gnathion line, the height of the mandibular ramus from the condylon-gonion intersection line, and the length of the mandibular body from the gonion intersection-gnathion line. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software; descriptive statistics, student t test and bivariant analysis were applied. Results: The mean total mandibular length was seen at its maximum in periods of high acceleration velocity. Intergroup analysis shows significant differences between the groups, and there is a strong correlation between maturational stage and mandibular dimensional change. Conclusions: During functional orthopaedic treatment planning, the mandible can be utilised as a skeletal maturity indicator.