Adolescent maxillomandibular relationships: Growth patterns, inter-individual variability, and predictions

The aims of this study were to develop error-free estimates of changes in AP relationships between 10 and 15 years of age, evaluate individual variability in AP relationships during adolescence, and predict AP relationships at 15 years of age based on data at 10 years. ANB, NAPg, and maxillomandibular differential, plus fourteen independent variables, were chosen to evaluate AP growth changes of 186 untreated subjects between 10 and 15 years of age. Growth curves were derived using multilevel modeling. While mean changes were small, individual growth curves frequently deviated from average curves and showed shifting between AP types. Regressions based on the error-free estimates explained 73% to 80% of variation in AP relations. When the same regression equations were applied to unadjusted data, multiple regressions decreased up to 18%. We conclude it is possible to accurately predict AP relationships, but this requires control of technical error and a multivariate approach.