CT-based three-dimensional morphometric analysis of the bony palate and hard palatal mucosa in female orthognathic surgery candidates.

INTRODUCTION

Morphological studies of the bony palate remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the three-dimensional relationship between the bony palate and the hard palatal mucosa, as well as palatal dimensional differences according to anteroposterior jaw relationships, using CT data.

METHODS

CT data from 116 female patients (95 young adults; 15-29 years, 21 middle-aged adults; 30-56 years) who required orthodontic treatment combined with orthognathic surgery were analyzed morphometrically using medical image-processing software. The anteroposterior relationship between the maxilla and mandible was determined using lateral cephalograms, and participants were divided into three groups: Class I (normal maxillomandibular relationship), Class II (maxilla positioned anterior to the mandible), and Class III (mandible positioned anterior to the maxilla). Intergroup palatal dimensional differences were analyzed using non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon test and Steel-Dwass test).

RESULTS

Palatal mucosal thickness in the first molar region (PMT) showed substantial inter-individual variation, with no significant age-related differences. Palatal width was narrower, whereas palatal length was greater in Class II than in Class III. Palatal depth was greater in Class II than that in Classes I and III at the first premolar (P1), but no intergroup difference was observed at the first molar (M1).

CONCLUSION

PMT showed no age-related differences and may serve as a representative indicator of palatal mucosal structure. In Class II, the bony palate was narrower and deeper in the P1 region, whereas the palatal depth in the M1 region did not differ significantly from that in Classes I and III.