New Classification of Midpalatine Suture Maturation Using Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Study

Background/Objectives: Assessment of the midpalatine suture is vital for making clinical decisions regarding the correction of transverse growth discrepancies of the maxilla. Several studies have used Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to evaluate skeletal maturity by midpalatine suture staging (MPS) in various populations. A few patterns of staging did not fit the standard classification. Hence, the rationale of this research was to explore potential new subcategories of maturation staging using CBCT. The study aimed to develop a new comprehensive classification subcategorization system for midpalatine suture maturation staging based on CBCT scans. Methods: The study involved the retrospective analysis of 168 CBCT scans. The standard reference for MPS staging was taken from a previous published classification in 2013 using CBCT. Each classification stage of the standard classification was subcategorized into Pattern A and Pattern B. Results: Both classifications (standard reference and new) can rely on age to predict the possibility of maturation of the MPS compared to non-maturation. Age is a predictable variable of suture opening in both classifications. Conclusions: The new classification demonstrated increased sensitivity in detecting midpalatine suture maturity and also increased the likelihood of utilizing non-surgical maxillary expansion compared to the previous classification. Evaluating suture staging in individual cases using CBCT is recommended for personalized diagnosis and optimal treatment planning for maxillary expansion. This advancement allows clinicians to use the new classification as a reliable tool to confidently predict non-surgical expansion success for more mature patients, thereby broadening the scope of orthodontic treatment without compromising patient outcomes.