The maxillary bones and the nasal septum are interconnected structures. The nasal septum acts as a growth center that facilitates normal maxillofacial growth and development. The objective of this study is to evaluate the presence or absence of septal deviation, as well as its degree of severity, within two adult population groups with or without maxillary transverse deficiency. This is a retrospective CT scan study. While several studies have been conducted in this field, our study is original in its approach to: maxillary transverse deficiency as a measure of the transverse dimension of the maxilla, the use of CT scans as the radiological medium for evaluating the primary endpoint, and finally, the specific method used to measure septal deviation.

If a correlation exists between the two, it would be interesting to investigate whether maxillary transverse deficiency leads to septal deviation, or if septal deviation contributes to maxillary deficiency through nasal obstruction. This could highlight the importance of early management of both maxillary transverse deficiency and nasal obstruction.

In adult patients, it could support the idea of performing a single combined procedure involving maxillary expansion and septoplasty, which would reduce comorbidities and risks; ultimately representing a true benefit for the patient.

The study is a non-interventional (observational) research involving the human person, research on existing data (retrospective study).

This study analyzes the maxillary transverse deficiency and the septal deviation This is a comparative retrospective study of radiographs in three dimensions before any orthodontic treatment to study a potential correlation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult with completed growth (> 18 years old)
• Deceased from natural causes and underwent a whole-body CT scan between 2010 and 2017, in the State of New Mexico (USA)
• Presence of maxillar and mandibular teeth from first molar to first molar (from 6 to 6)
• No body decomposition at the time of the CT scan

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of maxillofacial surgery or trauma
• Congenital craniofacial pathologies or anomalies
• Presence of maxillary or mandibular orthodontic appliances (or retainers)

Deceased from natural causes and underwent a whole-body CT scan between 2010 and 2017, in the State of New Mexico (USA)