In 1964, Fred Schudy published an article entitled "Vertical Growth versus Anteroposterior Growth as Related to Function and Treatment" in the Angle Orthodontist. In this article he stated, "To date most of our knowledge of growth is limited to the location of growth sites and sutures which have been quantitatively considered in relation to chronological and biological development. "There has been no comprehensive attempt to relate growth increments to each other in the same individual and no attempt to relate growth increments to overbite and the vertical and horizontal movement of the chin." (Emphasis added). Sadly, today, thirty-four years later, almost the same conditions exist. To my knowledge Creekmore, George Schudy, and Isaacson are the only American investigators who have reported measuring the causative increments—the building blocks.

In the same article Schudy discussed, in comprehensive detail, the mechanism of the growth and function of the jaws—how they physically and mechanically function with each other. While the temporomandibular joint is an integral part of the biological function of the jaws, we did not discuss fossa-condyle relationship. Our discussions pertained only to the physical aspect of this functional unit.

The premise used was that vertical condylar growth has the purpose of moving the gonion angle downward and the chin forward; while horizontal condylar growth only moves the chin forward. One purpose of vertical molar growth is to move the chin downward and backward. The "give and take" between these two functions moves the chin downward and forward. This is a mechanical relationship, having nothing to do with biology. It is a functional principle , like the law of gravity or the sun coming up every morning. Principles never change.

In the intervening years since these functions were first discussed we have pertinaciously hammered on this subject. We have shown in great detail how vertical and horizontal growth affect the occlusion of the teeth and the treatment of malocclusion. We have shown objectively how the same amount of condylar growth can have quite different effects in different patients. We have shown objectively how vertical and horizontal growth (condylar growth) can affect the occlusion and treatment of malocclusion. Please see Articles No. 16, 24, and 29 of the Schudy Chronicles on the Internet.

Despite all of the urgent admonitions over a period of thirty-five years, very few investigators have ever measured growth increments, the building blocks, and tried to interpret their effect on the craniofacial complex. It is realized that a large number of clinical orthodontists understand and use these principles in the analysis of treatment results.

Some of our prolific contributors to the literature think that we know nothing about cause and effect relationships of the growth of the craniofacial complex. Those who have never measured and studied vertical and horizontal growth increments have a poor understanding of the growth of the jaws. The above objective evidence referred to, has been largely ignored by the contributors to the literature—a sad commentary.

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