Proportional analysis of longitudinal craniofacial growth using modified mesh diagrams.
OBJECTIVE
To study the craniofacial changes of adolescents followed longitudinally with their heads oriented in natural head position.


METHODS
Longitudinal cephalograms of adolescents (n=28) with normal occlusion, selected from among 900 candidates, were taken at 13 and again at 18 years of age. Modified elaborate mesh diagrams were developed defined by 90 anatomic landmarks and an additional 172 interpolated points for each cephalogram using a preset computer program. Detailed proportional and disproportional craniofacial changes were showed by both statistical and graphical methods.


RESULTS
In females, most craniofacial regions exhibited growth that was proportionate to the mesh core rectangle reference on extracranial true vertical. In males, there was an upward, disproportional enhanced shift of the anterior cranial base and a downward enhanced shift of the mandibular symphysis and inferior border of the corpus.


CONCLUSIONS
This elaborate mesh analysis, based on mesh core rectangle and referenced on estimated natural head position, provides a novel graphical as well as quantitative method of assessing craniofacial growth. From 13 to 18 years of age, two sexes with normal occlusion displayed different growth patterns referenced on estimated natural head position. In females, most craniofacial regions exhibited growth proportional to the mesh core rectangle. In males, there was an upward, enhanced shift of the anterior cranial base and a downward enhanced shift of the mandibular symphysis and inferior border of the corpus.
Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Jiuhui
J
Jiang
Tianmin
T
Xu
Jiuxiang
J
Lin
Edward F
EF
Harris
D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D003768:Dental Occlusion, Centric; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D011859:Radiography; D012737:Sex Factors; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D014716:Vertical Dimension