© 1987 by European Orthodontic Society
Growth rotation—a puzzle?
Malmö, Sweden
Dr B Rune Käkcentralen MAS 214 01 Malmö Sweden
The concept of growth rotation is valid in the study of bone displacement, i.e. of the bone corpus because it can be regarded as a rigid body. Indeed, with differential articular growth in the craniofacial complex the absence of rotatory displacement of bones would be inconceivable. However, in a study of position and inclination of bone contours which are affected by remodelling growth changes should be given in terms of changes in distances and angles.
As the cavities of the craniofacial complex are enlarged, bone displacement occurs with considerable articular growth. Articular growth is the most important growth component and it is also the component which shows the greatest variation.
With his introduction of implants Björk has made it possible to distinguish between articular and remodelling growth. He has also made it possible to study the amount and the location of articular and remodelling growth about the bone corpus in a single bone. Thus, in the study of normal craniofacial growth the use of implants is a valuable diagnostic tool, in the study of growth in craniofacial malformations it is indispensable.