A longitudinal study of vertical growth of craniofacial complex in female children with normal occlusion from 7 to 12 years old.
OBJECTIVE
To find the laws of vertical growth of craniofacial complex in children with mixed dentition.


METHODS
19 female children were annually observed with cephalometric film in 4 successive years, of whom 10 started at 7 years while the others at age of 9. The two groups were longitudinally studied. All data were analyzed by SPSS 8.0 software.


RESULTS
In the observation period, the height of most craniofacial regions continually grew. In anterior face, the middle facial height increased most (increased 4.7 mm from 7 to 10 years old, P < 0.01; increased 3.9 mm from 10 to 12 years old, P < 0.01), while the lower facial height nearly unchanged (increased 1.3 mm from 7 to 10 years old, P > 0.05; increased 1.4 mm from 10 to 12 years old, P > 0.05). Some other regions had their own growing characters.


CONCLUSIONS
Once the occlusal relationships of permanent incisors are established, it is difficult to control the anterior lower facial height with orthodontic treatments.
Peng
Jing
J
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing 100081 China.
Deng
Hui
H
Cao
Caifang
C
D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology