Chapter 10

Growth Theories

In the framework of the stated aim of this treatise, detailed descriptions of the theories of the mechanisms by which facial growth is directed had to be foregone, despite the great interest of those theories. A few words in this chapter must suffice to describe them, with the exception of the functional matrix theory of M.L. Moss and the ideas of Van Limborgh, which are dealt with in more depth. Weinmann and Sicher311 have postulated the idea that the skull growth is directed largely by hereditary factors which reside in the skeletal tissues themselves. The skull growth should be independent and not rely on other organs and tissues, they claim. The simultaneous enlargement of the skull and enveloping structures should, in their view, be attributed to the mutual accord between hereditary factors that influence all those organs. They theorize that all the components taking part in bone growth, e.g., cartilage, sutures, and periosteum, have an equal value in the arrangement of the growth of the craniofacial skeleton.

Scott250 251 has enunciated the theory that growth-regulating factors reside only in cartilage and periosteum. The growth in sutures, he said, is entirely secondary in nature and therefore depends on external influences.

The theory of the functional cranial components of Van der Klaauw285 laid the foundations of the concept concerning the functional matrix developed by Moss.191