The premaxillary-maxillary suture and orthodontic mechanotherapy

Even though there has been debate over whether a separate premaxilla exists in the human being, it has been suggested that the premaxillary-maxillary suture remains patent into adolescence and provides an explanation for the action of certain orthodontic and orthopedic appliances. To assess whether this suture is pertinent to an understanding of appliance effects, the skulls of 50 subadult subjects were scrutinized to determine patency with regard to age. Remnants of a premaxillary-maxillary suture may be present on the surface of the palate at all ages studied, and often this suture extends deep to the surface. However, in no case was the suture continuous so as to distinguish a distinct premaxilla. These findings disprove the claim that the premaxillary-maxillary suture system provides an explanation for any form of orthodontic or orthopedic therapy.