Investigating the Relationship between the Dimensions and Morphology of Sella Turcica with the Long-Face Growth Pattern and the Vertical Growth Pattern

INTRODUCTION: The sella turcica is one of the important landmarks of lateral cephalometry, which is used in orthodontics for the diagnosis, treatment plan, and evaluation of skeletal development and maturity. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the dimensions and morphology of sella turcica with the long-face growth pattern and people with an open bite. This study also examines the relationship between sella turcica bridging (STB) and the vertical growth pattern. METHODS: As many as 153 radiographs were analyzed using the Romexis software, considering the basal, gonial, and FMA angles to determine the vertical growth pattern of the face. The basal angle was also used to check for an open bite. Of these patients, 80 had a long vertical face growth pattern, and 73 had a normal face growth pattern. The four landmarks of tuberculum sellae, dorsum sellae, sellae floor, and posterior clinoid were determined on the cephalograms to measure the length, depth, and anteroposterior diameter of the sella turcica. RESULTS: In this study, it was found that the chance of developing a long face in people with partial and complete bridging is 8.37 and 1.92, respectively. An increase in the length of the sella turcica for one unit decreases the chance of a long face, and as the depth of the sella turcica increases, the chance of a long face increases. CONCLUSIONS: STB is frequently seen in people with long faces. However, this finding should be considered in relation to other diagnostic parameters. The shorter the length and higher the depth of sella turcica, the higher the chance of developing a long face.