Endocrine regulation of craniofacial growth

Abstract

This paper presents an updated review of the role of endocrine factors in craniofacial and dental development. Some unpublished results of the author's own studies are presented. Longitudinal growth studies have shown the similarity of facial and somatic growth rates, whereas dental development has been found to be independent. The increased therapeutic use of the growth hormone (GH) has focused attention on the dental and craniofacial effects of GH. Whereas delayed and advanced cranial base and facial growth is obvious in conditions with either lack or excess of GH, the effect of GH on the dentition is less clear. Thyroid hormones seem to be necessary for the eruptive movement of teeth. Sex steroids clearly have an effect on facial and cranial base growth and are also odontogenic, but the effects have not been much studied. The growth-inhibiting effect of corticosteroids is explained partly by the reduced response of cartilage cells to insulin-like growth factor-1. Experimentally, the effect is also seen in the condylar cartilage, but clinical studies have not been published. In tooth eruption an accelerating effect has been noted in experimental animals. The role of androgenic hormones in mandibular growth stimulation is discussed.