Longitudinal evaluation of growth changes in Class II division 1 subjects

Longitudinal records from the Ohio State University Growth Study were used to compare the skeletal growth changes between Class II division 1 and Class I female subjects between ages 7 and 14. Tensor analysis was used to determine the yearly growth rate and direction. No significant difference was found in cranial base dimension between the Class I and Class II subjects. In Class II subjects, the maxilla (S-N-A) was found to be normally related to the cranial base. However, mandibular position (S-N-B and S-N-Pog) was found to be significantly more retrusive in Class II when compared with Class I subjects. Mandibular length (Ar-Gn) and corpus length (Go-Gn) were found to be shorter in Class II subjects. The ratio of PFH to AFH was found to be smaller in Class II subjects. This is particularly apparent during the pubertal growth period. The y-axis and mandibular plane angle were more open in Class II subjects which also contributed to the retrusive position of the mandible. Maxillo-mandibular difference (A-N-B) between Class I and II subjects was present at age 7 and persisted through puberty, maintaining a greater angle of convexity (A-N-Pg) in Class II subjects. These results suggest that Class II malocclusion can be detected early. The majority of the Class II cases showed mandibular skeletal retrusion or a combination of horizontal and vertical abnormalities of the mandible rather than maxillary protrusion. These skeletal differences remain through puberty without orthodontic intervention. Individual variations were found within each type of malocclusion.