Some aspects of bone formation and remodeling pertinent to craniofacial development and reconstructive treatment

Bone formation, modeling, and remodeling occur as physiologic developmental growth or healing processes. Bone formation and turnover is an ongoing process from early organogenesis to the end of life. The assumption can be made that all elements for osteogenesis and resorption are present at any time and can be activated given an appropriate environment. Bone is a dynamic tissue that is readily influenced by its environment. Recognition of this fact is essential in the treatment of dental malocclusions and in reconstruction of jaw, facial, and skull deformities. Examples of experimental studies on various environments for bone formation and clinical application of the experimental findings are here related to treatment of alveolar clefts, bony contour deficiencies, midface hypoplasia, skull bone defects, and traumatically or congenitally underdeveloped, rudimentary, or missing mandibular condyle/ramus units.