The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the correlation between the midpalatal suture maturation and skeletal maturation in growing children aged 7 - 15 years and predict the maturational stages of the midpalatal suture corresponding to skeletal maturity assessed by the skeletal maturation indicators (SMI) and middle phalanx of the third finger (MP3) stages.The group of this retrospective study was consisted of randomly selected 132 male and 135 female in age from 7 - 15 years. The maturation of the midpalatal suture was evaluated by using images from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) while the skeletal age was assessed by hand-wrist radiography. CBCT images and hand-wrist radiographs used in this study were obtained from all subjects for orthodontic diagnosis before orthodontic treatment.The maturational stages of the midpalatal suture showed strong correlations with both SMI and MP3 stages. The correlation between the midpalatal suture maturation and SMI (Spearman’s correlation coefficient, ϒ_S = 0.905, <i>p</i> < 0.05) was slightly greater than that of MP3 stages (ϒ_S = 0.830, <i>p</i> < 0.05). There was a positive significant correlation between the midpalatal suture maturation and chronological age (ϒ_S = 0.868,<i>p</i> < 0.05).CBCT for evaluation of the midpalatal suture maturational stages may be unnecessary in every pediatric patients because SMI and MP3 stages were both replaceable useful methods for assessing maturation of the midpalatal suture before orthopedic treatment. In this retrospective study, the diagnostic reliability of the SMI method for estimating midpalatal suture maturation showed better reliability than the MP3 method.

Short root anomaly (SRA) is a rare dental condition with abnormally short and blunt root morphology. It mostly affects maxillary central incisors symmetrically and only has been observed in permanent teeth.A 9-year-old girl was referred from a local dental clinic for short root development in mixed dentition with no symptoms. Radiographic and intraoral examinations revealed SRA on upper and lower incisors and mandibular first molars along with other dental anomalies such as enamel hypoplasia and dens invaginatus. During long - term follow - up for 5 years, her mixed dentition has changed to permanent dentition and generalized SRA was observed in all permanent teeth. Cephalometric radiograph also revealed the calcification between the anterior and posterior clinoid processes described as a sella turcica bridge which was reported associating with dental anomalies. Early diagnosis of SRA is emphasized for successful management and prevention of root resorption and tooth loss.This report aimed to present a rare case of generalized SRA along with other dental anomalies and sella turcica bridging in a female patient through long - term follow - up.