Evaluation of the suture ossification level according to age and sex in children, adolescents, and adults. A cross-sectional and observational 3D study

Objective: To determine the ossification level of the midpalatal suture (MPS) in children, adolescents and adults from a Peruvian sample; according to the method proposed by Angelieri et al. with cone-beam computed tomographies (CBCTs). Material and methods: The sample consisted of 315 CBCTs of 168 females and 147 males. The total sample was divided into 3 groups according to age and sex: children (n = 77), adolescents (n = 113) and adults (n = 125). The images were mainly assessed in the axial plane using the Real Scan 2.0 software. The different periods of ossification of the MPS at the level of the vertical half of the palate was defined according to the five stages of Angieleri method (from A to E). The Student t-Test, Chi-square test, Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman's Rho test were applied. Results: Chi² test results showed that the stages of MPS ossification depended on the age of the patient by age ranges (P < 0.005). Multiple comparison tests affirmed that male and female subjects in the children group had fewer ossification stages than the adolescent and adult groups (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, there were no statistically significant differences between the two older age groups. Finally, there was a moderate positive correlation between the stages of ossification of the MPS and the age in the male group (Rho = 0.511). Conclusions: The onset of MPS ossification was significantly related to subjects up to 12 years of age and more frequently in stages B and C in both sexes. There was no difference in MPS ossification in adolescents and adult subjects.