OBJECTIVES: To analyze the mid-palatal suture ossification rate on human skulls. SAMPLE: Human skulls (28) divided among four groups according to chronological developmental phases: child, teen-ager, adult and elderly. MATERIAL: Maxillary Total Occlusal radiographs from different groups of skulls (28). Digitalized images from Maxillary Total Occlusal radiographs (28). METHODS: The presence of ossification bridges on the mid-palatal suture were identified, registered and qualified. The radiographs of the skulls were taken using the Maxillary Total Occlusal technique, modifying the horizontal position of the film. These radiograph images were digitalized and submitted to brightness and contrast adjustments to investigate mid-palatal suture ossification rate. CONCLUSION: The ossification of mid-palatal suture starts mainly at adult phase and on the posterior segment. The Maxillary Total Occlusal radiographic technique does not provide an adequate image to mid-palatal suture ossification rate identification.
Mid-palatal suture; Rapid maxillary expansion; Inter-maxillary disjunction; Maxillary total occlusal radiograph
