ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the thickness distribution palatal bone in adolescents and provide a clinical reference for implanting mini-screws.Methods:Cone-beam CT head scan data of palate of 20 adolescent orthodontic patients were measured with NNT Viewer software.60 points of the palate bone on one side were designed as 1 -10 in sagittal direction and as A -F in transvers direction with incisive foramen as the point of A and 0,the distance between each 2 adjacent points was 2 mm.The bone thickness of the 60 points were measured and statistically analyzed.Results:There were no significant differences among B2,B3,C2,C3,D3,E3,E4,F4 and F5(P >0.05).Statistically significant difference was found between F3 and B2 or B3,C2,C3,D3,E3,E4,F4 and F5(P ＜0.05).There was significant difference between D3 and D4(P ＜0.05).Conclusion:The appropriate areas for implanting mini-screws in palate may be about 2 -4 mm near the palatal suture and 4 -6 mm behind incisor canal,and 8 -10 mm near the palatal su-ture,6 -8 mm behind incisor canal.Those regions are safe for implanting mini-screws and can provide about 6 mm bone tissue sup-port.