From Volume 10, Issue 1, January 2017 | Pages 16-23
Being able to predict the likely timing and duration of growth accurately, in particular the pubertal growth spurt, is important in orthodontic treatment planning. The different assessments of growth, their advantages and disadvantages will be described.
Growth can be defined as an increase in cellular size and number and can be linked with development, including an increase in specialization or function.1 It is certainly an important factor in orthodontics as it can both directly and indirectly influence treatment. The obvious direct effect is potential growth modification in both Class 22,3,4 and Class 3 skeletal cases.5,6 Similarly, growth can have a direct and sometimes adverse effect on the occlusion and therefore delay treatment. For example, a Class III skeletal pattern may become more severe, as might an anterior open bite. In such cases, treatment may have to be put on hold until growth has essentially ceased. The presence or absence of growth may also have a less obvious and more indirect effect on orthodontic treatment. For example, overbite reduction is often easier in the growing child and, more recently, it has been reported that the rate of active tooth movement is likely to be greater at times of rapid growth, particularly around the time of the pubertal growth spurt.7
Thank you for visiting Orthodontic Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
