Abstract

NOGUEIRA, Fabiana Evelyze Pires Tiago et al. Evaluation of the vertebral morphology in adult patients: a maturation indicator. Rev. Bras. Odontol. [online]. 2012, vol.69, n.1, pp. 116-119. ISSN 1984-3747.

The determination of bone age is important for diagnosis and planning of patients with skeletal malocclusion with commitment and can be determined by cervical vertebrae. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology of the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae in adult patients. The sample consisted of 102 lateral radiographs of patients selected from the orthodontic clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry - Graduate Center - St. Leopold Mandic - Unit Brasilia - DF. The morphology of the 3rd and 4th vertebrae was analyzed by a single examiner. The findings show that the square-shaped or, mainly, the rectangular-shaped vertebra with curved lower border was the format founded in adult spine.

Keywords : age determination by skeleton; Orthodontics; cervical vertebrae.