ABSTRACT

The term growth center is widely used in connection with skeletal growth phenemenon and has been used rather loosely to cover many kinds of skeletal growth sites, therefore should be clearly defined. Principally there are two leading definitions thar are in contrast with each other; on growth centers and growth sites. The impact of this controversy in orthodontic treatment is, if the craniofacial skeleton is amenable to extrinsic control mechanism or appliances, dental clinicians are then able to implement, growth guidance procedures in their practice extensively. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relevant literature to clarify this contention in the terminology of skeletal growth and its importance in clinical orthodontics.