Abstract
The craniofacial growth of 12 untreated children with skeletal Class II malocclusions was evaluated from two sets of serial lateral cephalometric radiographs. The mean age of the first films (D 1) was 7years 10 months, and the second (D 2) was 11 years. The mean values of 13 linear and 10 angular cephalometric parameters were compared to a series of Class I control data. The characteristics of the skeletal Class II growth pattern included:
1. An anteriorly displaced maxilla at D 1.
2. A retrognathic and retrusive mandible at D 2.
3. Relatively small amount of maxillary and mandibular growth between D 1 and D 2.
These results suggested that the main factors of the skeletal Class II growth pattern were different between the growth phases. We concluded that the skeletal Class II growth pattern was started by an anteriorly displaced maxilla, and the following retrognathic mandible could be produced by this jaw relationship.
