How one dentist created unprecedented growth predictions from the most statistically significant growth study in dental history

In the past decade, there has been a large increase in our knowledge of dentofacial growth. The exciting advances are allowing dentists to have unprecedented knowledge of their growing patients. Dentists now have data on the expected maxilla and mandible growth left for an individual patient. These new tools can help dentists to decide when and how to start treatment for the greatest chance of success.

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommend that young patients get an orthodontic evaluation at 6 or 7 years of age.^{1, 2} An early orthodontic check-up enables clinicians to spot current or potential problems with their patient’s occlusion and jaw growth. This can especially be valuable for Class III patients.