Jaw development describes the change and shaping of the upper and lower jaw over the course of growth. This process is not only influenced genetically but is also connected to functional factors such as breathing, tongue posture, swallowing patterns, chewing load, and muscular activity.
In the professional literature and clinical practice, interactions between these functional influences and the development of the jaw are discussed, especially in childhood and adolescence. The interplay of bone, musculature, and neuromuscular control mechanisms plays a role here.
The articles compiled in this topic area explore possible functional connections related to jaw development from various perspectives and serve to provide context and a better understanding of this developmental process.
