[The dentofacial complex in hormonal treatment for growth retardation]

The greater availability of growth hormone (GH) and the increasing knowledge of growth hormone physiology have led to a wider application of growth hormone treatment. GH is approved for use in the treatment of pituitary deficiency syndromes and, when properly administered at an early stage, is capable of inducing normal skeletal and muscular development. It has also been successfully used to augment growth in patients with Turner syndrome and the effect on the abnormal craniofacial skeleton of these patients is favourable. The not yet generally approved indications for GH therapy are small children after intrauterine growth retardation, patients with renal insufficiency and patients with osteoporosis. Research is done on effects and possible side-effects into different systems e.g. the craniofacial complex. Dentists and orthodontists who treat growth retarded patients must realize that most of these children have a delay in dentofacial development and in dental maturation and that the facial proportions can be thoroughly different from normal patients. The effect of GH therapy on the craniofacial complex and the dental maturation must also be taken into consideration while planning orthodontic or dental treatment.