다양한 골격 성숙 지표와 봉합부의 성장에 대한 이해

Understanding of Various Skeletal Maturity Indices and Suture Growth

Evaluating the patient’s growth is an essential part of dentistry. Although we are primarily interested in whether the patient has reached the pubertal growth spurt, assessment of the patient’s maturational status and developmental stage can affect diagnosis, treatment goals, treatment plan, prognosis, and treatment outcome. In orthodontics, it is necessary to accurately assess the level of skeletal maturity because the timing of treatment intervention is as important as selecting specific treatment methods. By determining the current level of skeletal maturity for each patient and initiating treatment at the optimal stage of maturity, orthodontists can achieve the most favorable response while minimizing potential morbidity. Therefore, orthodontists must be able to obtain predictable treatment results by establishing an appropriate treatment plan based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s growth and development. Based on a basic understanding of various skeletal maturation indicators and sutures, as well as a large amount of data that has been studied from the past to the present, we will review their correlation and clinical considerations and ensure that the contents can be applied to actual clinical practice. (Clin J Korean Assoc Orthod 2024;14(4):315-333)