Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Orthodontics

To assess the pubertal growth spurt in a group of Alexandria school male adolescents, using the developmental stages of the middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) as a skeletal maturation index. To evaluate the skeletal maturity age differences between Alexandria male adolescents and other populations. A sample of 1100 male students Alexandria was included in this study with age range from 11 to 16 years was collected. A radiograph for the middle phalanx of the middle finger by digital dental radiograph for the assessment of MP3 maturation stages was taken for each subject. The MP3- G stage which corresponds to CS- 3 of CVMI (signifying the peak of pubertal growth spurt or PHV) was found with high prevalence in subjects aged >13 - 14 years with mean of age 13.76 y. The mean skeletal maturity age (MP3-G stage) that represents the peak of height velocity (PHV) in Egyptian adolescent males of Alexandria was found to be 13.76 y ± 1.15 years which was approximately 10.32 months after pre- peak stage. 2. The start of the pre-peak stage (MP3- FG) of pubertal growth was reached at 12.9 y ± 1.06 years This means that the growth modulation treatment by functional orthodontic appliances should be done in male adolescents within range of 12.9y to 14.5y that represents the active period of pubertal growth between the pre - peak (MP3 - FG) and the post-peak (MP3 - H) stages respectively

Issued also as CD