Researchers from Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine are part of a new research team that will study craniofacial growth in pediatric patients
The research team will actually study how children’s facial structures grow. The comprehensive study will be the largest of its kind and is eventually expected to provide orthodontists and surgeons with precise diagnostic tools—for children who may simply need braces, or those with severe abnormalities of the face or head caused by birth defects, disease or trauma.
Dr. Richard J. Sherwood is a community health and pediatrics professor at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. He says the research is all about improving medical treatment for kids.
“If you can optimize the timing of any treatment, it may minimize the number of surgeries somebody has, or minimize the time in braces, and minimize the pain of treatment and multiple surgeries,” he said.
The five-year, $2.8 million grant comes from the National Institute of Health. Five universities will take part in the research.
