The development of craniofacial growth is a complicated phenomenon that has been the subject of much research for past 70 years.
[1] From the first theory in 1940s, many different ideas pertaining to how a face develops has intrigued the minds of researchers and clinicians alike.
This theory was popularized by Allan G. Brodie in 1940s and it states that craniofacial growth is controlled by genetics.
This theory states that genes such as Homeobox, Sonic hedgehog, Transcription factor and IHH (protein) play an important role in craniofacial development.
This theory was popularized by Sicher in 1941 which states that sutures are the primary determinant of the craniofacial growth.
Cranial vault increases in size via the primary growth of bone that happens at the suture.
In this theory, mandibular condyle having cartilage at its end allows the downward and forward growth of the mandible.
Dr. Profitt in his Contemporary Orthodontics textbook[8] gave a good example of impact of brain growth on the cranial vault.
He states that when the soft tissue of brain grows, the cranial vault follows the growth.
The extent of trauma and soft tissue scarring can impact the healing of the fractured condyle and thus it shows the functional matrix theory working naturally in real life.
This theory states that occlusion provides a constantly changing input which influences the horizontally regulated growth of the midface and anterior cranial base.