Dental age and skeletal maturity assessment in patients with cerebral palsy

Abstract

The aims of this study were to calculate the estimated dental age and the degree of skeletal maturity in patients with cerebral palsy and control patients (i.e., without a diagnosis of cerebral palsy) and to compare the findings with the chronological age of patients in both study groups. In this cross-sectional study, the European formula and the Willems method were used to estimate the dental age of 52 patients with cerebral palsy and 104 control patients, all aged between 7 and 15 years. For all patients, their estimated dental age was compared with their chronological age. The degree of skeletal maturity of 35 patients with cerebral palsy and 104 control patients was estimated according to Baccetti's method. There was no statistically significant difference in the deviation of the estimated dental age from the chronological age between patients with cerebral palsy and control patients when the European formula or the Willems method was applied. No difference was found in the frequency of Baccetti's stages between patients with cerebral palsy and control patients in the same age category, for both sexes. To estimate dental age in patients with cerebral palsy, the European formula is preferable for orthodontic purposes and the Willems method is preferable for forensic purposes. Using Baccetti's method it was not possible to detect potential differences in skeletal maturity between patients with cerebral palsy and controls.

Evaluation of the Effect of Medications Used in Children with Rheumatic Diseases on Dental Maturation.

“…Many investigations across many groups have shown the accuracy and reliability of Willems method and Cameriere European formula for age estimation. This validation led us to use these approaches for children with PRD for dental age estimation (21) . To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to employ the Willems method for assessing DA in individuals affected by PRD, including those treated with biological therapies as well as those without such treatment.…”

“…PageNo.135-151 www.ijmsdh.org enhance the accuracy and efficacy of dental treatment planning, ensuring interventions are timely and aligned with the patient's growth patterns (21) .…”

“…The scientific literature supports the inclusion of control groups in observational studies to enable comparable and more reliable outcomes. Ratios above 1:2 (case: control) are recommended to detect potential alterations in case groups, with the control group providing proper statistical support to identify these changes (21) . In the current study, a control group of healthy children was established, noting that there was no statistical difference between the average CA of the children included in the PRD and the HC group.…”