Mandibular rotation and remodeling changes during early childhood

Abstract

Objective: To describe the mandibular rotation and remodeling of younger children. Materials and Methods: The sample included 43 males and 43 females who participated in the Bolton-Brush Growth Study at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. They were chosen on the basis of having Class I (n = 45) or Class II (n = 41) molar relationships and longitudinal lateral cephalograms at three developmental stages of the dentition: late primary (T1: 5.7 ± 0.5 y), early mixed (T2: 8.4 ± 0.6 y), and full permanent dentition (T3: 15.4 ± 0.5 y). Each subject's cephalograms were traced and four landmarks were digitized. Cranial base and mandibular superimpositions were performed with the use of natural reference structures. Results: Yearly rates of true rotation, apparent rotation, and angular remodeling showed significant (P