FACIAL AND DENTAL CHANGES IN ADULTHOOD

The purpose of this longitudinal investigation was to study the dentof acial changes occurring between 25 and 46 years of age in an untreated normal sample. Measurements were made from cephalograms and dental ca sts available on 15 women and 15 men at age 25 and 46 years. The findi ngs indicate that females exhibited significant increases in all skele tal facial linear dimensions, a decrease in cranial base angle and man dibular prominence, an increase in skeletal convexity and facial diver gence. Most of these changes were of relatively small magnitude. Over the span of the study, significant crowding occurred in the mandibular arch. Males exhibited similar significant increases in all skeletal l inear dimensions, a decrease in cranial base angle, and increases in m axillary skeletal prominence and skeletal convexity. Increased crowdin g with age was seen in both maxillary and mandibular arches. In conclu sion, the findings indicate that a clinically significant increase in tooth size-arch length discrepancies occurred between 25 and 46 years of age. These changes should be considered as part of the normal ''mat urational'' process. Furthermore, the relative changes in the position of the lips, nose, and chin, cause the lips to appear more retrusive at 46 years of age. These changes should be taken into consideration w hen orthodontists are considering various treatment and retention opti ons for their adult patients.