Norms of size and annual increments of five anatomical measures of the mandible in girls from 3 to 16 years of age

Abstract

Mixed longitudinal sample was composed of fifty girls observed annually for a minimum of 6 years during childhood and adolescence. Data were derived from cephalograms; measurements were corrected for distortion and enlargement. Means and standard deviations of size and annual increments were computed at each age for ramus height, body length, maximum length, bigonial width and bicondylar width. Growth was greatest in depth (maximum length and body length), next in width (bicondylar width and bigonial width) and least in height (ramus height). The increment rate of mandibular growth decreased over the childhood period, then increased until the circumpuberal maximum was reached, and subsequently decreased. Circumpuberal increase was greater in maximum length, ramus height and bicondylar width, than in body length and bigonial width.