Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
CBCT assessment of posterior cranial base and surrounding structures in orthodontically treated adolescents
Kris Currie1, Heesoo Oh2, Carlos Flores-Mir1
1University of Alberta, Orthodontic Graduate Program, 11405-87th Ave, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Objective:
Understanding craniofacial growth and development is important for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning and post-treatment evaluation of orthodontic cases. Paramount to this is knowledge of the cranial base growth and development, since it is the foundation upon which the remaining facial structures develop. The purpose of this study was to analyse different anatomical structures in the posterior cranial base and determine its changes during the adolescent years (13-15 year of age) using CBCT.
Materials And Methods:
Sixty CBCT images of the adolescent population that received orthodontic treatment at two time-points (mean age T1: 13.1 years/T2: 14.6years) were used to assess growth related dimensional changes using 33 selected landmarks. Inter-rater, intra-rater and accuracy of 33 selected landmarks in the posterior cranial base and surrounding area were then evaluated via three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Linear differences were then calculated among the different landmarks to determine the changes present in the sample.
Results:
The selected landmarks in the posterior cranial base and surrounding area were found to be reliably and accurately located in 3D. Over the growth period studied (17.5months), minor statistically significant changes occurred, but they were deemed clinically irrelevant.
Conclusions:
The studied landmarks in the posterior cranial base and surrounding area showed minor clinically insignificant changes over the study period. The observed changes could be attributed to measurement error. The posterior cranial base is deemed to be stable in all three dimensions of study during the adolescent growth period studied.
More Related Videos
10:23Author Spotlight: Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Landmark Annotation Demonstration on Human Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: September 8, 2023
05:49Author Spotlight: Advancing CBCT and Digital Dental Image Integration with AI-Assisted Digitization
Published on: February 23, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...