Craniofacial morphology, dental occlusion, tooth eruption, and dental maturity in boys of short stature with or without growth hormone deficiency

The aim of this project was to study the craniofacial morphology, dental oc clusion, dental maturation and tooth eruption in short-statured boys with g rowth hormone secretion ranging from low to high. The measurements from lat eral and posteroanterior cephalograms, orthopantomograms and plaster models were used. Almost all linear measurements of the facial structures were si gnificantly smaller. A disproportionate growth in the cranial base structur es as well as in the jaws resulted in facial retrognathia, a proportionatel y smaller posterior than anterior facial height, and a steep vertical incli nation of the mandible. Dental crowding was more common and the overbite wa s small. Dental maturity and tooth eruption were delayed 1.2 and 1.3 yr, re spectively, No significant differences between the idiopathic short-stature d and the growth hormone-deficient group in any of the above-mentioned vari ables were found, It can be concluded that although most of the cephalometr ic variables measured differed significantly from the average, the facial a ppearance of the boys is not conspicuous and is of minor clinical importanc e. However, the short-statured boys might be in greater need of orthodontic treatment due to the higher percentage of dental crowding.