Evaluation of the midpatal suture maturation by computerized tomography in orthodonticcally nontreated individuals

The aim of this retrospective study was; to classify the midpalatal suture (MPS) maturation in orthodontically untreated individuals, to evaluate the zygomaticomaxillary suture (ZMS) maturation stage which is known to be one of the most resistant maxillofacial sutures while applying rapid maxillary expansion (RME) forces and to investigate the degree of closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS). We aimed to check the correlation between the ZMS, SOS and MPS maturation stages. Moreover, we verified the correlation between the MPS maturation and palatal bone thickness and palatal bone length (ANS-PNS) measurements. Archived paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) images of 312 orthodontically untreated patients (between the ages of 7 to 30) taken in the Radiology Department of Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty Hospital were included in the study. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to their age ranges. The Group 1 comprised the images of individuals aged of 7-10 years, the Group 2 comprised the images of individuals aged of 11-13 years, the Group 3 comprised the images of individuals aged of 14-16 years, the Group 4 comprised the images of individuals aged of 17-20 years, the Group 5 comprised the images of individuals aged of 21-25 years, the Group 6 comprised the images of individuals aged of 26-30 years. MPS, ZMS and SOS maturation degrees were determined, and palatal bone thickness and palatal bone length were measured. The data were analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 22.0. There was a positive relationship between MPS maturation and ZMS maturation and SOS closure degree (MPS-ZMS r=0.816, MPS-SOS r=0.736, ZMS-SOS, r= 0.868, p=0,000<0.05). The degree of ZMS maturation and degree of SOS closure were significantly increased as the MPS maturation degree increased. Another result of the study is the delay of maxillofacial suture maturation in patients with thin and thick palatal bone (MPS-Palatal bone thickness r=0,405, MPS-Palatal bone length r=0,387, p=0,000<0,05). No difference was found between the sexes in terms of suture development or skeletal age after the adolescent period. In young patients and adolescents, the girls matured at least 1 year earlier, and the suture maturation occurred earlier. In conclusion, MPS maturation was found to be related with ZMS and SOS closure degree, and the palatal bone morphology.