RESUMO
AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze and identify differences in the palatal rugae patterns and genderwise distributions in three different populations (Kerala, Mahe and Puducherry). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety maxillary study models (30 from each group including males and females) were examined in the age group ranging from 18 to 25 years. The palatal rugae pattern was analyzed for shape. RESULTS: After analyzing the rugae patterns among the groups, the most common pattern was the wavy pattern (53.57%) followed by curved (18.22%) and straight (13.66%). The least was circular (1.3%). When compared between sex, the most common pattern was found to be wavy (male - 54.3% and female - 53.09%), while the curved pattern was more common among the females (21.09%) than males (13.97%). The straight pattern was more common among the males (18.8%) than females (10.18%). The least common pattern was found to be the circular in both sexes which accounted for around 1%. CONCLUSION: This study shows no two palates are identical in terms of their rugae pattern. Palatal rugae possess unique characteristics as they are absolutely individualistic. Study also confirms that the "wavy" type of palatal rugae pattern was the most predominant among these three populations.