Direction and intensity of mandibular rotation in the sagittal adjustment during growth of the jaws.

A material of 22 patients with metallic implants in both jaws has been used to study, longitudinally on lateral headplates, the relationship between the degree of mandibular rotation, the difference in amount of growth of both jaws, represented by the value (E), and the sagittal intermaxillary relationship (G). It has been established that the variation of sagittal intermaxillary relationship and the variation of the degree of mandibular rotation are two phenomena presenting a "balance mechanism" when related to the value (E). The different combinations of these three variables during mandibular growth are proposed, represented in diagrams. This study reveals that several possible mandibular responses correspond to a single given initial condition.