ABSTRACT
Palatal masticatory mucosa is the main donor site for soft tissue grafts, thus determination of its thickness is of paramount importance as it affects the surgical outcome. Thus in this study we tried to evaluate and compare the mean thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa with the help of direct bone sounding using a periodontal probe and cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) at different regions. Methods: 30 subjects in the age group of 20-50years were included in this study and had to undergo bone sounding with periodontal probe and subsequently cone beam computerized tomography in relation to canine, 1st premolar, 2nd premolar, 1st molar and 2nd molar at four different points, i.e., 2, 5, 8 and 12 mm from the gingival margin. Results: On comparison between the two techniques nonsignificant difference was found with slightly higher values obtained by CBCT. The tissue at the premolars was thicker than that measured at the molars. There was also increase in tissue thickness as the distance from gingival margin was increased except for canine at the depth of 12mm. Conclusion: It was concluded that CBCT can be used as non-invasive and accurate method to determine the soft tissue thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa than clinical measurements made via bone-sounding