Korean J Orthod.  2016 Nov;46(6):345-355. 10.4041/kjod.2016.46.6.345.

Relationship between maturation indices and morphology of the midpalatal suture obtained using cone-beam computed tomography images

• Jang HI
• Kim SC
• Chae JM
• Kang KH
• Cho JW
• Chang NY
• Lee KY
• Cho JH

• KMID: 2426678
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2016.46.6.345

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether predicting maturation of the midpalatal suture is possible by classifying its morphology on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and to investigate relationships with other developmental age indices.
METHODS
The morphology of the midpalatal suture was assessed by using CBCT images of 99 patients. Axial plane images of the midpalatal suture were classified into five stages according to the classification scheme. To make the assessment more accurate, the morphology and fusion of the midpalatal suture were additionally investigated on coronal cross-sectional planar images and volume-rendered images. Bone age was evaluated using the hand and wrist method (HWM) and cervical vertebrae method (CVM); dental age (Hellman's index), sex, and chronological age were also assessed. To evaluate relationships among variables, Spearman's rho rank test was performed along with crosstabs using contingency coefficients.
RESULTS
The HWM and CVM showed strong correlations with the maturation stage of the midpalatal suture, while other indices showed relatively weak correlations (p < 0.01). Through crosstabs, the HWM and CVM showed high association values with CBCT stage; the HWM demonstrated slightly higher values (p < 0.0001). Based on the HWM, the midpalatal suture was not fused until stage 6 in both sexes.
CONCLUSIONS
Among developmental age indices, the HWM and CVM showed strong correlations and high associations, suggesting that they can be useful in assessing maturation of the midpalatal suture.

Keyword

Midpalatal suture; Cervical vertebrae; Hand-wrist; Cone-beam computed tomography

MeSH Terms

Cervical Vertebrae
Classification
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
Female
Hand
Humans
Methods
Sutures*
Wrist

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Head reorientation and setting of the axial cross-sectional planar view. A, An axial plane view; B, a coronal plane view; C, a sagittal plane view; and D, a midsagittal plane view.

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  Figure 2 Cone-beam computed tomography images of the midpalatal suture and volume-rendered images according to maturation stage.

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