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The relationship between vertical malocclusions and ossification changes in the cranial base and upper cervical spine
Roberta Lekavičiūtė1, Diana Šopagienė2, Giedrė Trakinienė3
1Faculty of Odontology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, J. Lukšos-Daumanto Str. 2, Kaunas, 50106, Lithuania. roberta.lekaviciute@stud.lsmu.lt.
Sella turcica bridging and atlas posterior arch deficiency are linked to skeletal patterns and cervical maturation stages. These anomalies are more common in postpubertal patients and those with specific mandibular plane angles.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Craniofacial Development
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- The maxillofacial complex, cranial base, and upper cervical spine share embryological origins, suggesting potential links between anomalies in these regions.
- Variations in skeletal patterns can influence craniofacial development and may be associated with specific anatomical variations in the sella turcica and atlas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships between morphological variations of the sella turcica (bridging), ponticulus posticus, and atlas posterior arch deficiency.
- To correlate these anatomical variations with cervical vertebral maturation stages and vertical malocclusions in orthodontic patients.
Main Methods:
- Cephalometric analysis of 300 pre-orthodontic patients (aged 7-40 years).
- Evaluation of sella turcica and atlas morphology by two researchers, supervised by a radiologist.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS 29.0, categorizing patients by cervical stage (CS1-CS6) and vertical malocclusion type.
Main Results:
- Sella turcica bridging was significantly more prevalent in postpubertal patients (58.2%, p<0.05).
- Ponticulus posticus and sella turcica bridging were more frequent in individuals with a low mandibular plane angle.
- Atlas posterior arch deficiency was more common in individuals with a high mandibular plane angle (24.2%, p<0.05).
- Logistic regression indicated that CS6 stage patients were less likely to have type 1 ponticulus posticus and more likely to have type 2 sella turcica bridging (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Sella turcica bridging and atlas posterior arch deficiency are associated with skeletal patterns and cervical vertebral maturation.
- Sella turcica bridging prevalence increases in the postpubertal period.
- Atlas posterior arch deficiency is more prevalent in individuals with a high mandibular plane angle, indicating a link to vertical skeletal discrepancies.
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