Some methods of assessing postnatal craniofaciodental growth: a retrospective of personal research

The purposes of this review and summary are to evaluate several selected significant clinical and basic science methods utilized to assess growth of bone(s), and in particular craniofaciodental growth: appositional and resorptive (bone), endochondral (bones), and sutural (bones). This personal retrospective report includes in part anthropometry, impressions and casts, vital markers, histology, radiopaque implant markers with and without serial cephalometric radiographs, and autoradiography. Knowledge obtained from the use of these various methods on rats, ground squirrels, rabbits, pigs, dogs, monkeys, and humans has contributed to a deeper and more fundamental understanding of both the processes and roles that craniofaciodental biology plays in the advancement not only of basic biology but also of craniofacial surgery. Growth and development of the skeletal system has an important role in determining body form. The dynamics of growth of bones is a complicated process. A number of different methods have been described by which growth of bones can be evaluated on both a quantitative and qualitative basis. No single method, however, should be relied on, because although it may have certain definite advantages, it also has its limitations. The use of all available methods at both the basic and the clinical science levels will give a more complete and accurate understanding of the problems associated with the growth of bone(s).

Many of us are concerned with the correction of malformations and deformations that can be a result of faulty growth of bones. Thus, further knowledge obtained in regard to the sites, direction, and amount of growth as well as pattern, rate, and mechanism will lead not only to a more accurate diagnosis of the bony defect but also to a better understanding of both prevention and treatment.