Estimation and Comparison of the Duration of the Pubertal Peak in Skeletal Class II and Class I Subjects Using the Cervical Vertebrae Maturation Index Method.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare the duration of the pubertal peak in skeletal class II and class I subjects and to detect any difference between boys and girls or between hypo-, normo-, and hyperdivergent subjects for skeletal maturation indicator (CVM) in white Caucasians.
Materials and Methods: 346 subjects were selected from 3,119 examined files. Pretreatment lateral cephalometric records were hand-traced and divided following the anteroposterior skeletal relationship, the gender, the vertical pattern, and the skeletal maturation. The duration of the pubertal peak was calculated based on the chronological age interval according to each group. The age of onset of the active growth and the duration of the pubertal peak were compared between the different groups studied.
Results: Pubertal peak had a mean duration of 13 months in skeletal class I subjects, 19 months in skeletal class II subjects, 15 months in girls, 20 months in boys, 13 months in normodivergent and hypodivergent subjects, whereas in hyperdivergent subjects, it lasted 18 months.
Conclusion: The growth interval corresponding to the pubertal growth spurt (CS3-CS4) was (1) significant between skeletal class I and class II subjects, (2) longer in boys, and (3) longer in hyperdivergent subjects.
Clinical Significance: Orthodontic treatments can start earlier for girls in class I or class II relationship and for hyperdivergent subjects as well. Furthermore, boys and subjects in class II skeletal relationship have a significantly longer duration of the pubertal peak and consequently a much efficient orthopedic and orthodontic treatment.