Transverse Growth of Facial Soft Tissues: A Longitudinal Three-Dimensional Facial Growth Study

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial development
• Anthropometry
• Growth and development

Background:

• Understanding typical transverse facial growth patterns is essential for diagnosing and treating craniofacial anomalies.
• Previous studies have indicated sex-based differences in facial morphology, but detailed longitudinal data on transverse growth patterns are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally analyze the pattern of transverse facial growth in individuals from ages 10 to 18 years.
• To identify sex-specific differences in the timing and magnitude of transverse facial growth.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal cohort study involving 101 individuals (56 males, 45 females) aged 10-18 years.
• Three-dimensional facial surface imaging using stereophotogrammetry acquired every 6 months.
• Measurement of linear distances of transverse facial features, including lip width, nasal width, intercanthal distance, and outer canthal distance.

Main Results:

• Minimal baseline sex differences in lip and nasal widths were observed.
• Males showed greater transverse growth increments: nasal width increased by 6.0 mm (males) vs. 3.9 mm (females), and lip width by 5.1 mm (males) vs. 2.1 mm (females).
• Divergence in nasal and lip growth patterns between sexes occurred around 12.6 years; males exhibited consistently larger intercanthal and outer canthal distances, with greater increases over time.

Conclusions:

• Transverse facial growth ceased around age 14 in females, while continuing longer in males.
• Males' greater growth increments and prolonged duration resulted in wider nasal and lip dimensions post-puberty.
• Accounting for normal background growth, including sex-specific patterns, can enhance analyses of interventions like maxillary expansion.