Considering the second primary molar as the sole clinical index of growth condition

Background and Aim: Assessment of skeletal maturity is an integral part of interceptive diagnosis and treatment planning. The present method of skeletal maturity assessment like handwrist or cervical vertebrae radiographies are expensive, require elaborate equipment and account for high radiation exposure, especially for growing children. This study tried to consider the value of the ۲nd primary molar in growth stage. Material and Method: ۴۰ samples aged ۸-۱۳ were tested by their panoramic and handwrist radiographs. Result and Conclusion: there was a coincidence between presence calcified sesamoid and ۲nd primary molar as the last tooth. The result showed that it could be a reliable index to predict the growth stage in ۱st visit without radiography. (IJO ۲۰۰۶; ۱: ۵۸ - ۶۰)