A longitudinal comparison of body height growth of orthodontically treated Class I and Class III adolescents compared with the general population

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the height growth of Class I and III orthodontic patients according to the Fishman skeletal maturation index (SMI) and to compare it with that of a general population. Methods: The study sample included 81 Class I and 71 Class III adolescents who had height measurements and hand-wrist radiographs taken annually and categorized according to SMI. Height completion rate, residual height, height increase per sequential SMI stage, and height velocity were analyzed. Sex differences were evaluated and comparisons between Class I and Class III groups were made. In addition, the height of orthodontic patients was indirectly compared with that of the general population. Results: In boys and girls, height completion rate was >90% at SMI 6, residual height was fewer than 10 cm at SMI 7, and height increase per sequential SMI stage was greatest from SMI 6 to SMI 7. Height velocity was greatest from SMI 5 to SMI 6 in boys and from SMI 4 to SMI 5 in girls. Conclusions: There was no significant difference in body height parameters for all SMI stages between Class I and Class III adolescents. Adolescents who had orthodontic treatment were not shorter in stature at growth completion compared with the general population.