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Delayed dental age in boys with constitutionally delayed puberty
M Gaethofs1, A Verdonck, C Carels
1Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
European Journal of Orthodontics
|February 9, 2000
Summary
Boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) exhibit a significant delay in dental development and maturation compared to healthy peers. Dental age assessment using the Demirjian method is validated for this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Forensic Odontology
Background:
- Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is a common condition in adolescent boys.
- Assessing developmental maturity is crucial for diagnosing and managing CDGP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dental age in boys diagnosed with CDGP.
- To compare dental age between CDGP boys and a control group of healthy boys.
- To validate the Demirjian method for dental age assessment in Belgian boys aged 12-14 years.
Main Methods:
- The study included eight boys with CDGP (age >14 years, testis volume <4 ml) and 38 healthy controls (age 12.4-14.3 years).
- Dental age was determined using the Demirjian method.
- A dental delay score (dental age - chronological age) was calculated for both groups.
Main Results:
- The Demirjian method proved effective for dental age scoring in Belgian boys aged 12-14.
- Boys with CDGP demonstrated a statistically significant delay in dental development compared to the control group (P = 0.0085).
Conclusions:
- Boys with CDGP exhibit a significant retardation in dental maturation.
- Dental age assessment can serve as a valuable indicator of delayed development in boys with CDGP.