Evaluation of mandibular growth in a prepubertal Class I and Class II population: a longitudinal analysis

Objective: This study aims to identify the presence, timing, and magnitude of a prepubertal mandibular growth spurt in a Class I and Class II population. Methods: From the Burlington and Iowa Growth study of the AAOF Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection, 83 Class I subjects (37 females and 46 males) and 32 Class II subjects (18 males and 14 females) were identified, as having at least seven consecutive annual lateral cephalograms taken from 5 to 11 years of age. Only subjects with a normodivergent facial pattern were considered. A customized cephalometric analysis was performed, and total mandibular length, defined as the distance between Condylion (Co) and Gnathion (Gn), was calculated. Results: Overall, a significant early peak of mandibular growth was present in all the subjects analysed both in Class I (4.69 mm for males and 4.18 mm for females; P < .05) and in Class II (5.85 mm for males and 4.05 mm for females; P < .05). No differences between males and females were found for the timing of this peak (7 years for Class I and Class II females and 7 years for Class I and 6.5 years for Class II males). In males, a significantly larger peak was observed in Class II than Class I subjects (P = .007). Limitations: The main limitations of this study were the impossibility of using a suitable growth indicator to identify the timing of the early mandibular growth peak and the limited Class II records retrievable. Conclusion: This investigation suggests that a prepubertal mandibular growth peak is consistently present in both Class I and Class II males and females of clinically significant magnitude. Despite that, chronological age confirms to be unsuitable to identify this peak.