Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of midpalatal suture maturation in a select Western Cape sample

Abstract

There is controversy in the literature regarding the ideal treatment timing for rapid maxillary expansion. The successful use of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) has largely been limited to young patients with chronological age being a determinant of the patency of the midpalatal suture. However, there is consensus in the literature that chronological age is not a valid indicator of skeletal age. Additionally, conventional radiology and histology has revealed that the midpalatal suture may be patent in young adults (<25 years of age), with successful RME shown in these patients.