Computerized morphometry of the area of the hard palate and of palatal rugae: a cross-sectional study / Morfometría computarizada del área del paladar duro y de las arrugas palatinas: un estudio transversal

Abstract Background: The evaluation of palatal rugae in human identification is important because these structures can remain intact for up to seven days after death. Aim: To compare the area and density of the palatal rugae between ages groups and genders. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Dental plaster models obtained from patients at the Orthodontic Clinic of University of Uberaba were selected. Two hundred patients were divided into four groups: Group 1:10-15 years; Group 2:16-30 years; Group 3:31-50 years; and Group 4:51-70 years. The palatal rugae and hard palate of each plaster model were outlined and photographed. The evaluation of the area of the hard palate and palatal rugae was performed using the ImageJ software. Statistical analysis used: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests using GraphPad Prism 5 statistical software. Results and conclusión: The areas of the palatal rugae and of the hard palate were significantly smaller in the group 4. There was a significant negative correlation between age and palatal rugae area, and between age and hard palatal area. The present study was the first to demonstrate that patients between 51 and 70 years have a smaller palatal rugae area and a smaller hard palate area when compared to other groups. Thus, the evaluation of the hard palate area and of palatal rugae could be used as an adjunct with other methods to determine the age group of an individual; however studies using larger sample size are needed to validate this observation.

Case for diagnosis. Palate perforation due to cocaine use

Abstract: We report a 42-year-old cocaine addicted female patient referred for evaluation of hard palate ulceration resulting in oro-sinus communication with difficulties in swallowing and phonation, an rhino-sinusitis. Acrylic and removable silicone prosthesis was prescribed to relieve severe functional disorders. It is essential that the patient permanently abandons cocaine use to perform surgical reconstruction.

Analysis of palatal rugae morphology before and after orthodontic treatment by a digital image recognition system / Análisis de la morfología de las rugas palatinas antes y después de tratamiento ortodóncico por un sistema de reconocimiento por imágenes digitales

To analyze the accuracy rate of a digital image recognition system in matching the palatal rugae Morphology after orthodontic treatment, before orthodontic treatment and to provide theoretical evidence for individual identification in the field of forensic dentistry. High-resolution digital images of the palatal rugae were taken under particular conditions from each patient before and after orthodontic treatment. Features of each digital image were extracted using a digital image recognition system and included in the palatal rugae database. Using an MATLAB software system, information matching of the palatal rugae was performed. From the matching results, the accuracy rate of individual identification of orthodontic patients was 100 %, with a Euclidean distance of 0. The accuracy rate in matching palatal rugae patterns before and after orthodontic treatment was 95.67 %. The results were statistically significant with P < 0.05. Palatal rugae pattern is highly individual-specific. After orthodontic treatment, palatal rugae are morphologically diverse, but these changes do not greatly influence the individual identification in the field of forensic dentistry, which provides a new method of and pathway to forensic identification.

El objetivo de este trabajo consistitó en analizar la tasa de exactitud de un sistema de reconocimiento de imágenes digitales en la adaptación de la morfología de la rugosidad palatina después del tratamiento ortodóncico, antes del tratamiento ortodóncico y proporcionar evidencia teórica para la identificación individual en el campo de la odontología forense. Las imágenes digitales de alta resolución de las rugas palatinas fueron tomadas bajo condiciones particulares de cada paciente antes y después del tratamiento ortodóncico. Las características de cada imagen digital se extrajeron utilizando un sistema de reconocimiento de imagen digital y se incluyeron en la base de datos de rugas palatinas. Utilizando el software MATLAB, se realizó la comparación de información de las rugas palatinas. A partir de los resultados coincidentes, la tasa de exactitud de la identificación individual de los pacientes ortodóncicos fue del 100 %, con una distancia euclídea de 0. La tasa de precisión en los patrones de rugas palatinas coincidentes antes y después del tratamiento ortodóncico fue del 95,67 %. Los resultados fueron estadísticamente significativos con P < 0,05. El patrón palatino de las rugas es altamente individual-específico. Después del tratamiento ortodóncico, las rugas palatinas son morfológicamente diversas, pero estos cambios no influyen mucho en la identificación individual en el campo de la odontología forense, lo que proporciona un nuevo método y vía para la identificación forense.

Location and classification of Canalis sinuosus for cone beam computed tomography: avoiding misdiagnosis

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the presence, location and, multiplanar distance of the canalis sinuosus (CS) between the incisive foramen and the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Therefore, 500 CBCT maxillary images obtained from male and female patients aged 20 to 80 years were selected to assist in the dental treatment. Low-quality tomographic images were discarded. All images were captured with the i-CATTM Classic tomograph and assessed using the XoranCatTM software. The axial sections were analyzed at the incisive foramen in order to verify the CS presence in laterality and location. Furthermore, linear measurements of the nasal cavity floor, buccal cortical bone, and alveolar ridge crest were made. All the collected data were statistically analyzed. Results show a variation of the CS in relation to the classification and distance of anatomical structures, but no significant difference between the right and left sides. It should be highlighted that CBCT is necessary before invasive procedures in order to preserve important anatomical structures. In conclusion, the location of the CS varies in relation to the alveolar ridge crest and buccal cortical bone, assuming that it is going to be located by the upper lateral incisor palatine.

Quantitative assessment of palatal bone thickness in an ethnic Indian population: A computed tomography study.

Context: Variations in palatal bone thickness (PBT) at various locations have caused considerable problems when using these sites for anchorage purposes. Aims: To find the comparative thickness of the palatal bone at different locations and to validate its morphology for anchorage purposes using mini-implants (MI). Settings and Design: This investigation was undertaken to compare the mean PBT and level of significance of differences between male and female subjects and between two different age-groups. Materials and Methods: The computed tomography (CT) data for 60 patients (30 males and 30 females) in two different age-groups (group A: 15-24 years; group B: 25-35 years) were imported into CAD-based medical software, (MIMICS® ; Materialise, Belgium) for multiplanar reconstruction. The measurements were made in two planes- transverse and sagittal-and at different positions in each of the planes. Statistical Analysis: The mean and standard deviations of the PBT at different points were calculated. The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons between the groups. Results: Significant variations were observed in the thickness of the palatal bone for both groups tested, with the anterior region at 4 mm behind the incisive papilla showing the maximum thickness. Conclusions: Despite the palatal bone being thickest in the mid-palatal suture (MPS) region, this is not the ideal site for anchorage purposes due to inadequate calcification and interposition of connective tissue, especially in young growing children. So, the alternate optimum position is the paramedian region, 3 mm lateral to the MPS and 4 mm from the incisive foramen (IF).