Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between three different types of vertical facial development, chronological age, skeletal maturation, and dental maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral cephalometric, panoramic, and hand-wrist radiographs of 150 orthodontic patients (75 males and 75 females; mean ages 13.54 and 13.74 years, respectively) were analyzed. Skeletal maturation was determined using the Greulich-Pyle atlas method via hand and wrist bones. Dental maturation was assessed using the Demirjian Index on the left mandibular canines, first premolars, second premolars, and second molars. The SN-GoMe angle was evaluated on lateral cephalometric radiographs. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in median skeletal age between genders was found in the hyperdivergent group (p = 0.024), with females showing more advanced skeletal age than males. A significant positive correlation between chronological age and skeletal age was observed in both the hypodivergent (p < 0.001) and hyperdivergent (p < 0.001) groups. In the normodivergent group, a very strong correlation between chronological and skeletal age was also found (p < 0.001). Additionally, significant gender-based differences were noted in the development of the canine (p = 0.003) and first premolar (p = 0.048) teeth in the hyperdivergent group. CONCLUSION: Maturational stages may differ between males and females of the same chronological age attending orthodontic clinics, largely due to gender-based developmental differences. Chronological and skeletal ages are compatible; however, vertical facial parameters should also be considered in growth and development assessments.