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What are the methods to assess skeletal maturity?

Skeletal maturity, or 'bone age,' can differ significantly from a person's chronological age, providing critical insight into growth and development. Understanding a patient's bone age is vital for pediatricians, endocrinologists, and orthodontists, as it influences treatment decisions, growth predictions, and developmental monitoring. A range of methods, from traditional radiographic atlases to modern digital and non-ionizing imaging techniques, can be used to assess skeletal maturity.