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Age-related changes in the midpalatal suture. A histomorphometric study.
Britta Knaup1, Faruk Yildizhan, Heiner Wehrbein
1Department of Orthodontics, University of Mainz, Germany.
Summary
The midpalatal suture narrows with age, with significant differences observed between younger and older adults. Suture obliteration (ossification) is minimal and does not explain resistance to palatal expansion.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Histology
- Orthodontics
Background:
- The midpalatal suture's morphology changes with age.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for orthodontic interventions like rapid palatal expansion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related morphological differences in the human midpalatal suture.
- To analyze mean sutural width (MSW) and degree of obliteration (O) across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Histological and histomorphometric analysis of 22 human palate specimens (ages 18-63).
- Sections from anterior, median, and posterior regions were analyzed.
- Subjects were divided into two age groups: ≤25 years and ≥26 years.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease in median sutural width was observed in the older group (161.16 µm) compared to the younger group (211.20 µm).
- Obliteration (ossification) was low in all subjects, with median values of 0% in the younger group and 3.11% in the older group (p=0.036).
- No significant topographic differences in MSW or O were found between anterior, median, and posterior regions.
Conclusions:
- Age-related reduction in midpalatal suture width is confirmed.
- Minimal ossification in the midpalatal suture does not account for increased resistance during rapid palatal expansion in younger or older individuals.