Fishman’s Skeletal Maturity Indicators in Orthodontics

Skeletal Maturity Indicators

• Fishman had used four anatomical sites, i.e. location on thumb, third figer, fit figer and radius.
• Eleven discrete adolescent skeletal maturity indicators covering entire period of adolescent development are described.
• Fishman system of interpretation uses four stages of bone maturation which are:
  • Epiphysis equal in width to diaphysis
  • Appearance of adductor sesamoid of thumb
  • Capping of epiphysis
  • Fusion of epiphysis.

Read And Learn More: Orthodontics Question And Answers

• Following are the Fishman’s skeletal maturity indicators:
• • S.M.I 1: The third finger proximal phalanx shows equal width of epiphysis and diaphysis.
  • S.M.I 2: Width of epiphysis is equal to that of diaphysis in the middle phalanx of third finger.
  • S.M.I 3: Width of epiphysis is equal to that of diaphysis in the middle phalanx of fit finger.
  • S.M.I 4: Appearance of adductor sesamoid of the thumb
  • S.M.I 5: Capping of epiphysis seen in distal phalanx of third finger.
  • S.M.I 6: Capping of epiphysis seen in middle phalanx of third finger.
  • S.M.I 7: Capping of epiphysis seen in middle phalanx of fit finger.
  • S.M.I 8: Fusion of epiphysis and diaphysis in the distal phalanx of third figer.
  • S.M.I 9: Fusion of epiphysis and diaphysis in the proximal phalanx of third figer.
  • S.M.I 10: Fusion of epiphysis and diaphysis in the middle phalanx of third figer.
  • S.M.I 11: Fusion of epiphysis and diaphysis is seen in the radius.