Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of the soft tissue thickness and greater palatine foramen location in the palate.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the palatal mucosa thickness and greater palatine foramen location using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Cone-beam computerized tomography images of 345 patients were measured. The relationship between palate vault depth and angle between the alveolar bone and palatal plane (PA) was evaluated. Differences in the palatal mucosal thickness according to age, gender and tooth site were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean palatal mucosal thickness from the second molar to the canine teeth were 3.7, 3.3, 3.7, 3 and 3 mm, respectively. The palatal mucosal thickness at the second molar and second premolar was statistically different from those at other zones. There was no correlation between the palatal junction angle and the palatal depth. Greater palatine foramen was observed at the level of third molar tooth, between third and second molar, second molar 63%, 31% and 6% in men and 56%, 36% and 8% in women respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The second premolar to second molar zone was considered a suitable graft site based on the mean palatal mucosal thickness.