Evaluation of Sella Turcica Bridging, Ponticulus Posticus Calcification and Sella Turcica Volume in Individuals with Different Malocclusions

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate sella turcica bridging, ponticulus posticulus calcification and sella turcica volume in individuals with different skeletal malocclusions on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Material and Methods: Sella turcica volume calculations were performed on a total of 84 individuals, 28 individuals in each class. Ponticulus posticus calcification and sella turcica bridging were performed on a total of 162 patients (27 male, 27 female) in each class. Sella turcica bridging and ponticulus posticulus calcifications were analyzed on sagittal sections of CBCT images and data were recorded as no bridging, partial bridging and complete bridging. Sella turcica volume calculations were performed with 3D-DOCTOR (Able Software Corp., Lexington, MA, USA) by manual segmentation method on KIBT sagittal sections. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in ponticulus posticus calcification and sella turcica bridging according to skeletal malocclusions and gender. Sella tursica volume did not show a statistically significant difference between skeletal malocclusions, while sella tursica volume was found to be statistically significantly higher in female than in male individuals. (p=0.004, p<0.005). Conclusion: Ponticulus posticus calcification, sella turcica bridging and sella turcica volume do not vary according to skeletal malocclusions. Sella turcica volume is statistically significantly higher in female individuals. It should be kept in mind that calcifications and shape changes in structures such as the sella turcica and atlas bone on lateral cephalometric radiographs may be a sign of certain diseases.