Growth & Development
Scammon's Growth Curves
- Neural — rapid early, ~completes first (by ~6-7 yr); relevant to early facial growth.
- Lymphoid — exceeds adult size in childhood then regresses.
- General (somatic) — S-shaped with infantile and pubertal spurts.
- Genital — late, rapid pubertal spurt.
Assessing Growth Status
Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CVM) from a lateral ceph: peak mandibular growth occurs around CS3-CS4. Hand-wrist radiographs and dental age are alternatives. Functional appliance treatment is timed to the pubertal growth spurt.
Growth Mechanisms
Bone grows by remodeling and displacement; the condyle and sutures are key mandibular/maxillary growth contributors, with surface apposition/resorption guiding form.
Exam Tips ⭐
Neural completes first; lymphoid overshoots then declines; treat functionally around CS3-CS4 (peak spurt).
📝 Practice MCQs — Growth & Development
Q1. Which tissue follows the neural growth curve (completes earliest)?
A. Genital tissue
B. Brain and cranium
C. Muscle
D. Subcutaneous fat
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Neural tissue (brain/cranium) grows rapidly early and completes first.
Q2. Peak mandibular growth on CVM staging occurs around:
A. CS1
B. CS2
C. CS3-CS4
D. CS6
Show Answer
✅ Answer: C
The pubertal peak is around CS3-CS4.
Q3. Lymphoid tissue growth is characterised by:
A. Late spurt
B. Exceeding adult size then regressing
C. Linear growth
D. No growth
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Lymphoid tissue overshoots adult size in childhood then involutes.
Q4. Functional appliance therapy is best timed to:
A. Before any growth
B. The pubertal growth spurt
C. After growth completion
D. Primary dentition only
Show Answer
✅ Answer: B
Maximal skeletal response coincides with the pubertal spurt.
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