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Facial Growth Patterns and Midpalatal Suture Maturation in Adults: A Retrospective CBCT-Based Observational Study
Elizabety do Nascimento Silva1, Nathalie Murielly Rolim de Abreu2, Frederico Barbosa de Sousa3
1Dentistry Department, Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba, Brazil.
Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Facial growth patterns correlate with midpalatal suture maturation in adults. Dolichofacial individuals show earlier sutural fusion, suggesting pattern analysis as a diagnostic aid.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
- Craniofacial Biology
- Radiology
Background:
- The midpalatal suture (MPS) is crucial for maxillary growth.
- Understanding MPS maturation in adults is vital for treatment planning.
- Facial growth patterns may influence sutural development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between facial growth patterns and midpalatal suture maturation in adults.
- To explore the utility of facial growth patterns as a diagnostic parameter for MPS maturation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 120 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from adults (≥18 years).
- Classification of facial growth patterns (brachyfacial, mesofacial, dolichofacial) using Ricketts' VERT index.
- Assessment of MPS maturation using Angelieri's five-stage classification (A-E).
Main Results:
- Facial growth pattern significantly associated with MPS maturation stage (p < 0.001).
- Dolichofacial individuals exhibited earlier MPS maturation stages (B or C) more frequently.
- Age and sex were not significantly associated with MPS maturation in this adult sample.
Conclusions:
- Facial growth pattern is linked to MPS maturation in adults, potentially serving as an adjunctive diagnostic tool.
- Dolichofacial patterns are associated with earlier sutural maturation.
- While not replacing CBCT, facial pattern analysis can aid individualized, anatomy-based diagnostics.
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