Analysis of general facial growth, maxillary and mandibular growth and treatment changes ("Structural analysis")

Abstract

General facial growth has in the past mostly been analyzed by superimposing on the nasion-sella line using the so-called "best fit" technique. Best fit approaches have also been used to analyze maxillary and mandibular growth and treatment changes. In this article we shall present a more reliable method for analyzing the changes that occur as a result of growth and treatment using the so-called "Structural technique" developed by Björk et al. This technique is based on the results of studies of facial growth using metallic implants over more than 25years. We will discuss how this technique can be applied without the benefit of implants to provide a better and more reliable understanding of the skeletal and dental changes in treated cases.