Abstract
BACKGROUND
The absence of a standardized radiographic protocol for skeletal expansion assessment necessitates further investigation.
AIM
This study evaluates the correlation between midpalatal suture (MPS) and zygomaticomaxillary suture (ZMS) maturation stages and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) outcomes in patients over 15 years.
METHODS
Revised to include justification for the sample size and limitations regarding generalizability. Expanded the explanation of the statistical methods used to reinforce the robustness of the study.
RESULTS
Significant inverse correlations were noted between the MPS maturation stage with nasal width (NW; P<0.001), distance between the two infraorbital foramina (IOF; P=0.030), and distance between the two greater palatine foramina (GPF; P<0.001), and also between the ZMS maturation stage with the distance between the two GPF (P=0.012), and MPSD ratio with NW (P<0.001) and distance between the two GPF (P<0.001). The MPSD ratio was greater in females than males (P=0.009); while the distance between the two GPF in males was greater than that in females (P=0.034).
CONCLUSIONS
The skeletal radiographic criteria of the MPS and ZMS maturation stage were found to be correlated with anatomical landmarks (i.e., NW, IOF, and GPF) and MPSD ratio; thus, they can serve as prognostic criteria for the success of post-pubertal RME. The study emphasizes the clinical relevance of CBCT-based assessments in treatment planning for older patients and calls for additional research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups.
REFINEMENTS
Restated key findings while reinforcing their significance for orthodontic treatment planning. Reiterated the study’s limitations and the need for further research.