Growth Patterns of the Face: A Morphometric Study

Abstract

Age-related growth changes in the face and the relationships between its parts were calculated by using three vertical, two horizontal, and two projective surface measurements from 1,594 healthy North American Caucasians between 1 and 18 years of age. By 1 year, the width of the mandible was highly developed (80.2%) while its height reached only 66.6% of the eventual adult size. The mandible's height and width showed significant development between 1 and 5 years, while the face height, upper face height, face width, and the two face depth measurements exhibited continuous gradual growth after 5 years of age. In general, the face matured between 12 and 15 years in males and 2 years earlier in females. At 12 years, the upper face height, the mandible height, and the width of the face reached their mature size in females. At 15 years, the face height, mandible height, face width, and the depth of the mandible reached maturity in males.