Facial growth in males 16 to 20 years of age

Postpubertal craniofacial skeletal and dental changes were examined from lateral cephalograms taken when subjects were 16, 18, and 20 years of age. The sample consisted of males with no previous orthodontic treatment who had Class I skeletal and dental characteristics. Mandibular growth was found to be statistically significant for the age periods of 16 to 18 years and 18 to 20 years. Growth from 16 to 18 years was greater than that from 18 to 20 years. Maxillary and mandibular growth were highly correlated at each age period. However, overall mandibular growth was approximately twice that of overall maxillary growth. Mandibular growth was found to involve an upward and forward rotation, a result of posterior vertical growth exceeding anterior vertical growth. Lower incisors were found to tip lingually with increasing age. Incremental changes in mandibular cephalometric measurements were found to be equivalent when measured from either articulare or condylion, indicating the interchangeability of the landmarks for growth estimates.