All You Need to Know About Skeletal Maturity and Orthodontic Treatment
Questions about skeletal maturity and orthodontic treatment timing can feel embarrassing for many patients. After all, the idea of having an adult looking at your teeth and trying to determine if you are mature enough for treatment can be nerve-wracking. While the process may seem intimidating, it’s important to understand the basics of skeletal maturity to feel more comfortable. Let’s break down all you need to know about skeletal maturity and orthodontic treatment.
What is Skeletal Maturity?
Skeletal maturity refers to a person’s physical development, specifically regarding their jawbone and face structure. It is typically determined by analyzing physical changes such as facial growth patterns, tooth eruption times, and bone growth in children. The goal is to determine when a patient is ready for orthodontic treatment to achieve the most effective results without putting undue stress on developing bones or compromising dental health.
How Is Skeletal Maturity Determined?
To determine skeletal maturity, orthodontists utilize several diagnostic tools such as x-rays, facial photographs, 3D scans, and digital models of the teeth. These images help orthodontists assess bone age to decide whether a patient is ready for braces or other correction treatments. That said, even with these tools, it isn’t always easy for an orthodontist to make an accurate determination—many factors go into determining whether a patient has reached their full skeletal maturity.
Do I Really Need To Be Skeletally Mature Before Getting Braces?
Yes! It’s essential that you wait until your bones have finished growing before getting braces or undergoing any kind of corrective dental work; otherwise, there is a risk of overcorrection or misalignment due to bones still growing after treatment has been completed. Not all patients reach full skeletal maturity by adulthood; some individuals may need additional treatments or adjustments throughout their lifetime due to late-developing bones or other factors beyond their control.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Delayed or Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Yes, there are risks associated with delayed or early orthodontic treatment. Some of these include:
1. Inadequate treatment: Delaying treatment can result in more severe problems, making it more difficult to achieve desired results. On the other hand, starting treatment too early can also lead to inadequate treatment and the need for additional procedures later on.
2. Extended treatment time: Delaying treatment can increase the overall length of treatment, leading to a longer and more uncomfortable experience for the patient.
3. Poor outcomes: Starting treatment too early or too late can lead to poor outcomes, including a less desirable final result, relapse of the condition, or the need for additional procedures.
4. Higher costs: Delaying treatment or starting it too early can result in additional procedures, leading to higher costs and a less favorable financial outcome for the patient.
5. Psychological impact: Delaying treatment or undergoing additional procedures can also psychologically impact the patient, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction with the treatment process.
Conclusion
Having conversations around growth modification or skeletal expansion can be challenging; however, it is essential for effective treatment planning. The ideal person to initiate the conversation may vary depending on factors such as confidence and comfort level – it does not necessarily have to be of the same sex as the patient.

To determine if a patient is still growing, it’s important to consider more than just their shoe size.
Asking the right questions when determining a treatment plan for patients is essential. Questions should center around age-related factors, such as whether they have started their period or how many cycles they’ve experienced. Facial hair and voice changes can also tell signs that they’ve reached the peak of puberty; however, pediatricians may sometimes be consulted to help verify details with growth charts or hand-wrist x-rays.