Variation in human craniofacial morphology arises, in part, from complex differential patterns of growth that unfold from childhood to adulthood. A thorough understanding of these growth patterns is critical for clinicians as it forms the basis for careful diagnosis and treatment planning. In particular, accurate estimates of the timing of growth milestones (e.g., age at peak growth or growth cessation) and morphological changes associated with developing malocclusions are critical for determining orthodontic growth modification strategies or treatment once growth has ceased. The goal of this research is to improve our understanding of craniofacial growth in order to develop accurate predictive models and new standards of growth to assist clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Landmark data are collected from a large longitudinal sample of lateral cephalograms originating from multiple historical growth studies in North America. These records and data are combined as the Craniofacial Growth Consortium Study (CGCS) which includes nearly 18,000 cephalograms from approximately 2,000 individuals. This dense dataset serves as the foundation for novel investigations into craniofacial growth. By applying multilevel, longitudinal modelling and landmark-based morphometric analyses to these data, we can better characterize growth patterns that are associated with skeletal misalignment and malocclusion. Ultimately, we aim to develop powerful evidence-based tools to better forecast growth and improve the success of personalized treatment strategies.

About the Speaker

An Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Knigge is a biological anthropologist specializing in primate craniofacial evolution and ontogeny with a recent focus on modelling human craniofacial growth and development.

Zoom details: 
https://anu.zoom.us/meeting/register/NgjAS0FMTSqMNAZyZ7vQOA

Presented as part of the School of Archaeology and Anthropology's 2025 Biological Anthropology Research (BAR) Seminar series.