The cranio-facial growth cannot be properly understood without knowledge of the mechanisms controlling it, essentially the role played by the hormones.This book gives an insight into the role played by various hormones and growth factors. An understanding of endocrinology is very important as it enables us to grasp better factors underlying the changes which occur during growth and development and plan functional and orthopedic therapy.

The influence of the soft tissues in craniofacial growth is very important for the orthodontic diagnosis and the treatment plan. There is influence of airway obstruction on the developmental pattern of the face. Variations in pharyngeal airway space have been described with some sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). This book, therefore, gives an insight into cephalometric airway analysis, influence of various dental treatment modalities on airway, obstructive sleep apnea, its diagnosis and management.

Management of medically compromised patients is an essential part of dental practice. With the present emphasis of patients on esthetics, the branch of orthodontics has no age bounds. An increasing number of patients with complicated medical conditions and drug regimes are seeking orthodontic treatment. Progress in medicine, higher expectations of quality of life, increased life expectancy have resulted in a greater demand for elective dental and medical treatment. This book, therefore, offers a window to manage medically compromised patients in specialized orthodontic practice.