Studies regarding development of the facial skeleton and
understanding of morphogenetic background of various
types of skeletal classes are important not only from
a cognitive point of view, but also from a clinical one, in
relation to treatment of patients according to a personal
phenotype. Aim. This paper aimed to present a review of literature regarding development and growth of the facial
skeleton in the aspect of skeletal classes. Material and
methods. A review of the literature from the years 2001–
2016 was conducted using the PubMed database. Key words
used to search for articles included: skeletal class
development, skeletal class malocclusion development.
Inclusion criteria were based on selection of original papers
regarding development and growth of facial skeleton in
the prenatal and postnatal period. Exclusion criteria
included review papers and case reports. Results. Articles
selected based on inclusion criteria indicate there are many
reasons affecting a direction of morphogenesis of the facial
skeleton and mutual correlations during development. It
is possible to understand these processes as a result of
distinguishing between growth and physical development
in the prenatal and postnatal period. Important factors
present in the prenatal period include, among others, the
following: interactions of the Frontonasal Ectodermal Zone,
shh proteins, fgf8 proteins and BMP signalling. Factors
present in the postnatal period depend on structural,
functional, anatomical, genetic and growth patterns
interactions. The following factors affecting development
of skeletal classes were analysed: sexual dimorphism, effects
of masticatory muscles, permanent tooth eruption, and
quality of the respiratory tract. Conclusions. Studies
regarding development of the facial skeleton and
morphogenetic background of various types of skeletal
classes contribute to improvement of clinical aspects of
treatment, according to a personal phenotype and any
dysfunctions associated with the skeletal structure.
(Hovhannisyan A, Kostrzewa-Janicka J, Zadurska M,
Mierzwińska-Nastalska E. Development and growth of
the facial skeleton in individual skeletal classes in the
human population. Literature review. Orthod Forum
2018; 14: 48-60)