Evaluation of Midpalatal Suture Ossification Based on Age and Gender Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Objective: In patients with space deficiency problems and maxillary arch constriction problems, if the midpalatal suture is open, the suture can be opened using fixed orthodontic devices. Therefore, the closure of this suture makes it necessary to use more invasive treatments. In this study, we investigated the ossification of midpalatal suture based on age and gender in an Iranian population. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, cone beam computed tomography images of two groups of patients (each included 89 patients) referring to the Oral Radiology Department of Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry were studied. The head was adjusted at two coronal and axial planes, and in the sagittal plane, the head was placed in the anterior-posterior axis parallel with the horizontal axis, and the sagittal palate incision was placed at software by displacing the head from front to back in the anterior or posterior direction of palatal plane parallel to the horizontal line. After placing a horizontal line along the palate, axial incisions in the superior-inferior dimensions with a thickness of 0.3 mm were prepared. Bone ossification stages by two maxillofacial radiology specialists. To examine the level of midpalatal suture ossification in different group ages and two genders, the Chi-square test in SPSS 11 software was used. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two genders. The results showed that there was a significant difference between different age ranges and midpalatal suture ossification. Conclusion: There was no difference in the level of ossification of midpalatal suture in male and female genders, but the study showed that the level of ossification increased with increasing the age.