Ponticulus posticus in a cohort of orthodontic children and adolescent patients with different sagittal skeletal anomalies: a comparative cone beam computed tomography investigation.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of ponticulus posticus (PP) in groups with sagittal skeletal anomalies in a Turkish population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 181 CBCT images were evaluated according to gender, side and characteristics of PP in the three different sagittal skeletal groups.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 13.88 ± 2.99 years (ranging 8-18 years). The study population consisted of 104 (57.5%) females and 77 (42.5%) males. PP was detected in 66 (36.5%) patients. Unilateral and bilateral PP was identified in 29 (43.9%) and 37 (56.1%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of PP in the atlas vertebrae was found to be higher in males than in females and this was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). PP was most frequently detected in class III patients (25, 13.8%). Statistically significant differences between the different sagittal skeletal groups were observed (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ponticulus posticus is a common anomaly in Turkish populations and is associated with different sagittal skeletal patterns. The highest frequency of PP was found in angle class III patients. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 65-71).