Longitudinal relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 levels and vertical facial growth.

Background: Facial growth in the vertical dimension is the last to be completed and can often be detrimental to the success of dental implants, orthodontic treatment, and orthognathic surgery that young individuals undergo.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between changes in total anterior facial height and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels measured using blood-spot samples.

Methods: Our sample included 25 orthodontic patients from whom we had access to annual lateral cephalometric radiographs and IGF-1 measurements.