Assessment of Thickness of Palatal Masticatory Mucosa and Maximum Graft Dimensions at Palatal Vault Associated with Age and Gender – A Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease which leads to alveolar bone loss, followed by exposure of root surfaces, which results in an unaesthetic appearance. Palatal masticatory mucosa is widely used as a donor tissue for root coverage procedures, to achieve an aesthetic appearance and to meet patient’s needs. Obtaining sufficient volume of tissue without injuring the vessels is necessary. Aim: Purpose of this study was to determine thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa in association with age and gender in healthy subjects who were aged 14–59 years. Materials and Methods: Thirtysix healthy subjects were included under two groups (aged 14-29 years and 30-59 years). Each group consisted of 9 males and nine females. Transgingival probing was done by using a UNC-15 (University of North Carolina) periodontal probe under LA (local anaesthesia) and measurements were taken from 15 different sites on palatal masticatory mucosa. Maximum available length and height of the palatal vault were also measured. All measurements were made by using a Boley gauge to the nearest millimetre. Results: Students t-test was used to determine the difference in mucosal thickness between two groups. Two–way ANOVA test was used to measure the height of palatal vault between the groups. The results showed that younger age group had thinner palatal masticatory mucosa of thickness which was between 2.3 mm to 2.65 mm and that younger females had thinner mucosa than males. The mean height which was measured from second premolar area to the second molar area was significantly greater in men (14.03 mm) than in women (13.25 mm). Conclusion: Palatal masticatory mucosa was thicker in older age group than in younger age group and it was thin in females as compared to that in males. The most appropriate donor site for carrying out grafting procedures is distal canine to mid palatal aspect of 1st molar area, with minimum height of 5 mm to 8 mm in the premolar area in all cases.

Keywords

• anatomy
• connective tissue
• masticatory mucosa
• physiology