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Published on: February 23, 2024
Comparison of three-dimensional maxillary growth across spheno-occipital synchondrosis maturation stages
Waseem S Al-Gumaei1,2, Hu Long2, Reem Al-Attab3
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Background:
This study aimed to three-dimensionally compare the maxillary growth among the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) maturation stages in both genders.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study of a retrospective type in which cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 500 patients aged 6 to 25 years (226 males and 274 females) were analyzed. The SOS was evaluated using the four-stage scoring system; completely open, partially fused, semi-fused, or completely fused. The SOS scoring and three-dimensional cephalometric measurements were analyzed by Invivo 6.0.3 software. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
There was a statistically significant difference in maxillary measurements among SOS maturation stages in both genders (P < 0.05). The mean differences in the maxillary growth among the SOS maturation stages between SOS stages 2 and 3 were higher than those between stages 1and 2 and stages 3 and 4 for maxillary length and height in both genders. However, the mean difference in the maxillary width was higher between SOS stages 1 and 2 than those stages 2 and 3 and stages 3 and 4. On other hand, there may be lesser maxillary growth between SOS stages 3 and 4 for maxillary width, length (in males), and height. The growth curves showed high active growth of the maxilla as the SOS was still fusing (especially stage 2 and 3) than those of the fused (stage 4). Moreover, the acceleration of growth occurred earlier in females than males regarding chronological age but not for SOS maturation stages.
Conclusions:
The SOS maturation stages are valid and reliable maxillary skeletal maturation indicators for three-dimensional maxillary growth in both genders.
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