Is radius-union an indicator for completed facial growth?

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• Radiographic Assessment
• Craniofacial Growth

Background:

• Facial growth completion is often associated with the radiographic hand-wrist stage R-J.
• Assessing the precise timing of facial growth cessation is critical for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if facial or dentoalveolar growth occurs after the radiographic hand-wrist stage R-J.
• To evaluate the significance of post-R-J growth for clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of hand-wrist and lateral head films from 56 subjects (aged 14-21).
• Assessment of eight cephalometric distances and their changes before and after stage R-J.
• Comparison of growth changes across different time periods relative to R-J.

Main Results:

• Minor vertical dentoalveolar growth (0.5-1.75 mm) was observed in the mandible (20%) and maxilla (10%) after stage R-J.
• The frequency of growth changes was comparable before and after stage R-J.
• Most subjects exhibited growth changes under 1 mm post-R-J.

Conclusions:

• Chronological age is an unreliable indicator for determining facial growth completion.
• Stage R-J is a significant radiographic marker, but minor dentoalveolar growth can persist.
• Understanding post-R-J growth is vital for dental implantology to prevent esthetic and functional issues.