Comparison of craniofacial growth in an Australian Aboriginal and Danes, illustrated by longitudinal cephalometric analyses

Abstract

Comparison of facial growth in an Aboriginal boy and Danish boys showed a general similarity in the patterns of growth rotations and remodelling in the mandible and maxilla. In contrast, alveolar development and forward migration of the dentition was more marked in the Aboriginal, leading to the characteristic adult facial morphology. Associated with the forward shift of the dental arches there were also dimensional changes in the dental arch width and length. Some of the growth processes involved in these changes are outlined. Although based on a single longitudinal analysis, the comparison demonstrates a general similarity in the patterns of facial development and also elucidates some of the processes concerned with racial variation in alveolar prognathism and dental arch morphology.