Journal of Dental Research, Vol 56, 1145-1153, Copyright © 1977 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Dental and skeletal ages in hypopituitary patients
R. J. Edler
Skeletal and dental ages were radiographically determined in 14 cases of
confirmed growth hormone deficiency. The cases were in the 6.5- to
12-year-age group, and were receiving hormone therapy. Delay in skeletal
age ranged from 24.8 to 32.3%, the average being 27.9%. There was very much
less delay in dental age, ranging from only 4.3 to 19.7%; the average delay
being approximately 9%. Most cases thus fell within normal limits. Seven
patients had dental ages assessed before therapy and their dental age
delays were comparable to those of the group as a whole. The four patients
in the 12-year-old group showed a greater dental age delay then did the
others. This could have been simply due to individual variation, or this
delay could possibly support the view that dental development does become
androgen dependent at puberty. None of the radiographs examined revealed
any defects in dental development as has been reported elsewhere. While the
small normal patient followed the general trend, the three low birth weight
patients did not and it would not be instructive to measure the dental ages
of larger numbers of these cases.
