Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Author Spotlight: PEGASOS Tissue Clearing Technique to Visualize Bone Remodeling
Published on: August 18, 2023
An objective method for assessing the maturation of bone sutures involved in the rapid maxillary expansion
Fernanda Filgueiras1, Giovanni Cerrone Júnior1, Jocimara Domiciano Fartes de Almeida Campos2
1School of Denistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Introduction:
This study aimed to evaluate the maturation of the midpalatal suture (MPS), zygomaticomaxillary suture, and zygomaticotemporal suture (ZTS) (right and left) through density by multislice computed tomography in patients categorized by age groups.
Methods:
We evaluated tomographic images of 192 participants (aged 7-30 years), divided into 3 groups by age. To analyze the maturation of the sutures, the density scores of MPS, zygomaticomaxillary, and ZTS were determined in Hounsfield units, within an area corresponding to 1 mm in width and length, referring to the longest length of each suture, in 3 regions: central, right adjacent, and left adjacent sites. A density cutoff point in MPS for performing rapid maxillary expansion was established using the receiver operating characteristic curve.
Results:
The length of the sutures has a positive correlation with age and density. Density in all measurements showed a positive and significant correlation with age. All sutures had lower density in central sites than in adjacent sites (except in group 3: left adjacent sites of MPS and zygomatic site of ZTS sutures). There was no significant difference between the sexes. The density cutoff point in MPS was 294.4 Hounsfield units.
Conclusions:
Density increases with age, showing a significant correlation. Central sites have lower density than adjacent sites, especially in younger patients. Sex does not have any relevant effects on the final measurement values , and density appears to be correlated with the degree of sutures maturation.
