Development of a novel histological and histomorphometric evaluation protocol for a standardized description of the mid‐palatal suture – An ex vivo study

The hard palate and mid‐palatal suture are highly important for orthodontic treatment. In cases of transverse maxillary deficiency, palatal expansion is the treatment of choice. As nowadays a growing number of adult patients receive orthodontic treatment, an understanding of suture development throughout life is important to derive tailored orthodontic treatment techniques for each age group. Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains (haematoxylin & eosin, Azan, Movat pentachrome, Masson–Goldner trichrome, Sirius Red, CD 31, osteopontin and TRAP) and histomorphometric analyses were re‐established to detect the structural conditions of the mid‐palatal suture in human cadaver…