Sella turcica bridging and ponticulus posticus calcification in subjects with different dental anomalies

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the bridging and dimensions of the sella turcica and calcification of the ponticulus posticus in subjects with different dental anomalies. Methods: Pretreatment records of orthodontic patients with palatally impacted canines (n = 95), mandibular second premolar agenesis (n = 45), maxillary lateral incisor agenesis (n = 75), tooth transpositions (TT, n = 25), peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors (n = 30), and third molar agenesis (TMA, n = 145) were analyzed and compared with the control group (CG) consisting of 145 subjects with skeletal Class I malocclusion and no dental anomalies. The length, diameter, and depth of the sella turcica were calculated for each patient. The degree of sella turcica bridging was scored as type I, II, and III, whereas the extent of ponticulus posticus was classified as Class I, II, and III. Results: Only decreases in the length and diameter of the sella turcica in subjects with TT were found to be statistically significant. Although type II bridging frequency was found to be significantly lower in subjects with mandibular second premolar agenesis, maxillary lateral incisor agenesis, TT, and TMA, type III bridging frequency was found to be significantly higher only in subjects with TMA. The decrease in Class I calcification frequencies and the increase in Class II calcification frequencies were found to be significant in subjects with palatally impacted canines, TT, and TMA compared with the CG. In addition, the presence of Class III calcification was found to be significantly more frequent in subjects with TMA than in the CG. Conclusions: Although type II and type III bridging frequencies were found to be higher than in previous studies because of the higher type II bridging frequency in the CG, type II bridging frequency was found to be insignificant. Furthermore, an increased frequency of ponticulus posticus calcification was observed in subjects with palatally impacted canines, TT, and TMA.