ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Palatal rugae have unique properties in each individual, which can be applied in the studies on dental forensics. OBJECTIVE: To measure the parameters of palatal rugae in Uygur populations, so as to provide a new idea for its recognition of dental forensics. METHODS: Palate rugae models from 268 Uygur adults aged 19-25 years were collected. The palatal rugae pattern code units (PRPCU) were obtained according to the morphological parameters of palatal rugae such as shape, length and position distribution, and then the PRPCU was converted into a two-dimensional code using online barcode generator to analyze the specificity of palate rugae. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The palate rugae in 268 palatal rugae models were different, and the most commonly seen shape was straight (2.76±1.69), followed by curve (1.74±1.35), wavy (1.06±0.90) and circular (0.09±0.351). The most common length classification was the primary rugae (6.17±1.75), followed by secondary rugae (0.70±0.97), and fragmentary rugae (0.33±0.682). The distribution of palatal rugae shape and length was significantly different among Uygur individuals (P < 0.001). Only the straight shape showed significant difference between male and female in Uygur populations (P < 0.05). That is to say, different individuals possess different palate rugae, so a digital record of palatal rugae can be used for personal identification.