Abstract :Introduction: Sella turcica is an important landmark for superimposition in orthodontics. The current literature reports a large variation in the size of sella turcica among the three different type’s skeletal malocclusion classes. With the advent of 3D CBCT, the purpose of this study is to explore the differences in sella turcica size in all three dimensions between skeletal Class I, II, and III adult subjects.
Methods: This cross-sectional study includes 60 pretreatment 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans with equal distribution of adult males and females. Sella turcica linear dimensions, sagittal areas, and axial areas were measured via Dolphin ImagingTM. Sella turcica volume was determined via CheckpointTM (Stratovan).
Results: Skeletal Class III subjects presented with a significantly larger width, axial area, and volume when compared to Class I (P < 0.05) and Class II subjects (P< 0.001). There was no significant difference in linear dimension, area, and volume of sella turcica between Class I and Class II. There was no significant difference in linear measurements, area, and volume of sella turica when comparing between genders. However, sella turcica length in males appeared longer than females (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Skeletal Class III adult subjects displayed larger width, wider axial area, and larger volume of sella turcica when compared to Class I and Class II subjects. This study provides a threedimensional comprehensive illustration of the size variation of sella turcica among the different skeletal classes.