Growth in width of the dental arches after partial extirpation of the mid-palatal suture in man.

During the last 27 years 35 children with choanal atresia were operated by a method which entails a resection of the posterior 2/3 of the mid-palatal suture. In order to evaluate the consequences of this resection the width of the dental arches was measured in 320 individuals including 55 operated and unoperated patients with choanal atresia. Extirpation of the mid-palatal suture during growth resulted in a frequency of cross-bite of 52% and a significant reduction of the width of the upper dental arch and the maxilla. The findings may indicate that the growth in this specific suture is highly autonomous. Growth appeared to proceed far beyond childhood.