Mandibular growth comparisons of Class I and Class II division 1 skeletofacial patterns

Orthodontists are concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions — improper bites — that may be a result of tooth irregularity or disproportionate upper and lower jaw relationships.

An understanding of facial growth and development, as well as bone and muscle interaction, centrally affects the practice of orthodontics. How an extraction of a tooth, for instance, will change the position of other teeth relative to each other after a period of time for a boy as opposed to a girl may affect how post-extraction treatments are recommended.

For this study, researchers in the Department of Orthodontics at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry looked at potential differences, if any, in how the lower jaw bone, or mandible, develops in children with either normal occlusions or malocclusions, and whether the sex of the child might be a factor in the differences.

Article information: Jacob H, Buschang P. Mandibular growth comparisons of Class I and Class II division 1 skeletofacial patterns. The Angle Orthodontist 2014 September; 84(5):755-761.