A cephalometric study of sella turcica size and morphology among young Iraqi normal population in comparison to patients with maxillary malposed canine

Abstract EN

Background : Sella turcica-bony depression located in sphenoid bone that houses and protects the pituitary gland.

Calcification of the interclinoid ligament of the sella turcica, or sella turcica bridging, has been associated with severe craniofacial deviations and with dental anomalies.

The permanent canines are the foundation of an esthetic smile and functional occlusion.

It's the most commonly ectopically erupting permanent teeth after maxillary first molars, so an attempt to guide impacted canines into functional occlusion should be made.

The aims of this study were to establish normative reference standards of Sella Turcica size in Iraqi sample that could assist in a more objective evaluation and detection of pathological conditions, secondly to compare the size measurements of Sella Turcica between normal subjects and patients with buccally and palatally maxillary malposed canine, and to evaluate the prevalence of Sella Turcica bridging in young subjects with malposed canine using lateral cephalometric imaging.

Material and method: Lateral cephalometric images for 40 subjects (18 male and 22 female), aged between 13 and 25 years, with displaced or impacted canines were reviewed and compared with a control group (60 male and 60 female).

The size of Sella turcica (length, depth and diameter) was measured and the bridging was evaluated.

Results : the results show no significant differences in linear dimensions between genders, and the prevalence of Sella Turcica bridging was higher in subjects with malposed canine (70 %) when compared with control group.

All linear measurements of Sella Turcica were within standard range.

The prevalence of Sella Turcica Bridge in subjects with displaced or impacted canine is increased.

Conclusion : early appearance of Sella Turcica bridge during development should alert clinicians to possible tooth anomalies in later life.