[Longitudinal changes in amounts of maxillary growth]

The purpose of this study is to investigate postnatal developmental changes in the shape of the maxilla. Normal maxillary form at each development stage and amounts of growth were analyzed by longitudinally measuring 136 Indian skulls. Maxillary growth changes were assumed on the basis of mean values and growth rates of each region measured. Results 1) Vertical growth Vertical growth of the maxilla (N-Pr) at the fifth (permanent-dentition) stage approximately doubled growth in the first (pre-eruption) stage. The corpus of the maxilla and its alveolar process lay beneath the foramen infraorbit. Vertical growth in this region (m-Pr) increases rapidly during the period of eruption of deciduous and permanent teeth. In permanent dentition, the vertical dimensions of the upper (N-m) and lower (m-Pr) parts of the foramen infraorbit were almost the same. 2) Growth in width As the eyes grow, the upper face widens. Resulting development in the tensed zygomatic-maxillary suture at the inferior margin of the orbit expands the upper surface of maxilla. Maxillary width increased by approximately 1.8 times between the first and fifth stages.