What drives maxillary growth in orthodontics?

In orthodontics, the growth of the maxilla is significantly influenced by the process of apposition and resorption occurring in specific areas. The correct answer focuses on the apposition at the posterior alveolar process while simultaneously highlighting the resorption of the nasal floor.

This dynamic interplay is crucial for maxillary growth. The apposition at the posterior alveolar process contributes to increasing the size and position of the maxilla, allowing for the development of the dental arch and accommodating the eruption of teeth. Meanwhile, the resorption of the nasal floor creates additional space and helps guide the overall growth direction of the maxilla as it develops. This relationship ensures that as the maxilla grows, it does so in a balanced manner, allowing for proper alignment and occlusion.

Each of the other choices presents aspects of craniofacial growth but does not capture the primary driving forces of maxillary growth as accurately as the selected answer. Understanding maxillary growth in orthodontics involves recognizing these patterns of apposition and resorption, which are fundamental to the development of both the maxilla and the surrounding structures.