Abstract
Abstract Objectives To detect age-related morphological changes occurring in the median and transverse palatal sutures that could affect the outcome of rapid maxillary expansion. Determined by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans. Material and methods CBCT scans were retrospectively analysed of 325 patients aged from 5.9 to 82 years (mean = 27.3 +/-17.9), comprising 144 males and 181 females who underwent CBCT scanning of the maxillary region. The median and transverse palatal sutures were assessed at four topographic points using a grading scale created for the purpose of this study to attempt to assess the shape and the amount of calcified tissue within the examined sutures. Results At each of the assessed topographic points, the median palatal suture evolved from a straight/polyline shape to a more tortuous outline with a concomitant increase in the amount of calcified tissue most significantly identified in the middle and posterior regions of the suture. Patients older than 20 years showed significant suture obliteration at all points evaluated. No agedependent increase in the transverse suture calcification could be established. Conclusion Patients younger than 15 years should be treated with more predictable effect by means of an RME if no factors other than median palatal suture morphology are considered. Patients between 15 and 20 years old can be described as borderline cases in which an individual assessment by CBCT scans may prove clinically relevant. Patients older than 20 years showed significant suture obliteration at all points evaluated and therefore could be considered as patients at high risk of RME failure.
Highlights
Rapid maxillary expansion is a treatment option capable of correcting skeletal transverse maxillary deficiencies; the efficacy of this method appears to be largely dependent on a patient’s age
Apart from an assessment of the median palatal suture, the transverse palatal suture was examined in the present study, as its morphology may affect the force distribution and overall rigidness of the hard palate
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological changes within the palatal sutures in different age groups by means of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanning
Summary
Rapid maxillary expansion is a treatment option capable of correcting skeletal transverse maxillary deficiencies; the efficacy of this method appears to be largely dependent on a patient’s age. This can be attributed to several factors but the role and maturation of the cranial sutures is parmount.[1] The ‘evolution’ of the median palatal suture has been described by Melsen et al.,[2] who implied that agedependent changes in overall suture shape and the connections between the maxillary bones are to be. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological changes within the palatal sutures in different age groups by means of CBCT scanning
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