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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

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Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
Published on: September 17, 2019
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Reliability of cervical vertebral maturation staging.
Billie-Jean Rainey1, Girvan Burnside2, Jayne E Harrison3
1Specialty registrar in Orthodontics, Dental Hospital, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Summary
The cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method reliably assesses mandibular growth in orthodontics. Clinician agreement was substantial, showing the CVM method is reproducible and accurate for treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Craniofacial Growth
Background:
- Accurate prediction of growth is crucial for successful orthodontic treatment.
- Assessing mandibular growth is key in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method for assessing mandibular growth.
Main Methods:
- 20 clinicians trained in an improved CVM method.
- Independent assessment of 72 lateral cephalograms on two occasions.
- Weighted kappa statistic used to assess intraobserver and interobserver agreement.
Main Results:
- Substantial intraobserver agreement (weighted kappa, 0.6-0.8; average 89%).
- Substantial interobserver agreement (weighted kappa, 0.6-0.8; average 88%).
- Overall intraobserver agreement was 0.70; interobserver agreement was 0.68 and 0.66.
Conclusions:
- The CVM method demonstrates substantial intraobserver and interobserver agreement.
- The CVM method is a reproducible and reliable tool for classifying vertebral stages.
- Findings support the use of CVM in orthodontic assessment of mandibular growth.

