Determination of Thickness of Palatal Masticatory Mucosa Using Cone Beam Computerized Tomography and Direct Bone Sounding: A Clinico-Radiographic Study

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

Measurement of soft tissue thickness on posterior palatal area by using computerized tomography in Korean population / 대한치주과학회지

The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness of masticatory mucosa in the hard palate as a donor site for mucogingival surgery by using computerized tomography(CT). Thickness measurements were performed in 84 adult patients who took CT on maxilla for implant surgery and 24 standard measurement points were defined in the hard palate according to the gingival margin and mid palatal suture. Radiographic measurements were utilized after calibration for standardization. Data were analyzed to determine the differences in mucosal thickness by gender, age, tooth positions and depth of palatal vault. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Mean thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa was 3.93+/-0.6mm and females had significantly thinner mean masticatory mucosa(3.76+/-0.56mm) than males(4.04+/-0.6mm)(p0.05). The results suggest that canine and premolar area appears to be the most appropriate donor site for soft tissue grafting procedure. The measurement of the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa by using computerized tomography can offer useful information clinically but further studies in assessing the validity and reliability of the method using computerized tomography is needed.

Relationship between The Shape of Palatal Vault and Tooth and The Thickness of Palatal Masticatory Mucosa / 대한치주과학회지

The aim of present investigation was to clinically measure the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa in the hard palate as potential donor site for mucogingival surgery, to determine the relation to shape of palatal vault, form of tooth, gender, and to serve the clinical criteria to choose the proper surgical technique. 84(mean age:25yrs) systemically and periodontally healthy volunteers participated in this study and 18 standard measurement points were defined in the hard palate, located on 3 lines which ran at different distances parallel to the gingival margin. 6 positions were designated on each of these 3 lines between the level of canine and 2nd molar and a bone sounding technique using a periodontal probe with minimal local anesthesia was utilized to assess the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa. Student t-test was used to determine the difference in mucosal thickness between 2 groups gender, shape of palatal vault (high palatal vault vs. low palatal vault), tooth form (short-wide vs. long narrow) The result of this study were as follows: 1. Soft tissue thickness progressively increased in sites further away from the gingival margin (p<0.01). 2. Depending on position, in line a and line c the masticatory mucosal thickness increased from Ca to M2(p<0.01), but in line b the thickness increased from Ca to P2, and decreased to M1 and increased again to M2. 3. Gender did not influence the thickness of masticatory mucosa. 4. Palatal vault shape was associated with the thickness of masticatory mucosa. Thickness of low palatal vault group was thicker than high palatal group between P2 and M2 position. 5. Form of tooth did not influence the thickness of masticatory mucosa. In conclusion, palatal vault shape was associated with the thickness of masticatory mucosa. So, mucogingival surgery can be considered as a treatment modality in high palatal vault group. But, Gender and tooth form did not influence the thickness of masticatory mucosa.