Mixed-longitudinal maxillomandibular growth changes across skeletal maturation stages in pediatric patients with skeletal Class I malocclusion.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to analyze the maxillomandibular growth patterns in pediatric patients with skeletal Class I malocclusion using longitudinal data classified according to skeletal maturity indicators (SMI). METHODS: The study included 21 boys and 23 girls with skeletal Class I malocclusion who had serial hand-wrist and lateral cephalometric radiographs from SMI stages 1-11 (at approximately 6-month intervals, mixed-longitudinal). Growth completion, residual growth, and growth velocity of the maxilla and mandible were evaluated. A linear mixed model was used to assess stage-to-stage changes across the SMI stages. RESULTS: In boys, maxillary growth completion increased until SMI 5, whereas no significant increase was observed in girls. Mandibular growth completion increased significantly at nearly all SMI stages in both sexes, with growth velocity peaking near SMI 5. Residual mandibular growth at SMI 1 was 4-5 times greater than residual maxillary growth. The growth completion of the ramus increased significantly during SMI 6-7 and 10-11 in boys and during SMI 7-8 and 10-11 in girls. Posterior facial height increased more than anterior facial height in both sexes, with continued growth observed beyond SMI 10. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary growth occurred primarily during the early skeletal stages, whereas mandibular growth peaked around puberty and continued afterward, especially in ramus height. The continued increase in posterior facial height during later stages may influence mandibular rotation. These growth patterns emphasize the importance of timely treatment and careful posttreatment monitoring.