[Development of the craniofacial structures and mandibular growth rotation: a longitudinal study with Enlow analysis (counterpart analysis)].

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the development of craniofacial structures in individuals with different actual mandibular growth rotation pattern. Enlow's counterpart analysis was used for this evaluation. The material was consisted 166 cephalometric films of 83 male and female subjects. A total of fourteen variables were employed and the data was analysed by various statistical methods. The vertical growth of middle cranial fossa and mandibular ramus as the equivalent of nasomaxillary complex was found to be the key sites in the determination of mandibular growth rotation pattern. Besides this, the sagittal location of maxilla and mandible related to the cranial base was different in backward and forward mandibular rotation patterns.