Growth and development in orthodontics.

Growth and development comprise the infrastructure of clinical diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics. The two current key issues have been growth prediction and growth stimulation induced by functional appliances. The stability of results in orthodontics and in the combined orthognathic-orthodontic treatment modality are likewise linked to growth and development. Changes in the untreated dentition after the permanent teeth are present in the mouth provide another important frame of reference for the clinician. The hazards of cephalometric analysis when relying on intracranial reference lines has recently captured a wave of attention, and if comprehended, should revitalize cephalometrics in clinical practice and in research.