Evaluation of the relationship between midpalatal suture maturation and chronologic age with cone-beam computerised tomography via fractal analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background The relationship between midpalatal suture maturation and chronological age was evaluated via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) via fractal analysis. Methods Cone-beam computed tomography images of 515 subjects with a mean age of 16 ± 3.6 years were included in the study. Midpalatal suture maturation was evaluated based on the classification described by Angelieri et al. In the second stage, the evaluation was conducted through quantitative data obtained by fractal analysis. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the fractal dimension and chronologic age related to the maturation of the midpalatal suture. There was a weak positive statistically significant correlation between the maturation of the midpalatal suture and the fractal dimension, but there was no statistically significant correlation between the maturation stage and the chronological age of the subjects. Conclusions Fractal analysis can be used to determine the maturation stages of the midpalatal suture. Considering the positive correlation between the fractal dimension and maturation of the midpalatal suture, the optimal fractal dimension cut-off value can be used to assess suture fusion. Chronologic age is not a precise indicator for evaluating the maturation of the midpalatal suture, but it can offer alternative guidance regarding suture fusion.