Assessment of thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa and maximum graft dimensions at palatal vault associated with age and gender - a clinical study.

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.

[1]  C. Rizzatti-Barbosa,et al.  Aging and the periodontium , 2010 .

[2]  A. Borghetti,et al.  Connective tissue graft for gingival recession treatment: assessment of the maximum graft dimensions at the palatal vault as a donor site. , 2006, Journal of periodontology.

[3]  K L Vandana,et al.  Thickness of gingiva in association with age, gender and dental arch location. , 2005, Journal of clinical periodontology.

[4]  J. Carnio,et al.  A technique for augmenting the palatal connective tissue donor site: clinical case report and histologic evaluation. , 2005, The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry.

[5]  E. Selçuk,et al.  Comparison of autogenous mucosal grafts and collagen-based, solvent-preserved allografts for vestibuloplasty. , 2004, Quintessence international.

[6]  J. Echeverría,et al.  Exostosis following a free gingival graft. , 2002, Journal of clinical periodontology.

[7]  G. Rose,et al.  Autogenous hard palate mucosa: the ideal lower eyelid spacer? , 2001, The British journal of ophthalmology.

[8]  S. W. Nelson.  Subperiosteal and intraosseous connective tissue grafts for pocket reduction: a 9- to 13-year retrospective case series report. , 2001, Journal of periodontology.

[9]  S. Studer,et al.  The thickness of masticatory mucosa in the human hard palate and tuberosity as potential donor sites for ridge augmentation procedures. , 1997, Journal of periodontology.

[10]  P. Mahan,et al.  The subepithelial connective tissue graft palatal donor site: anatomic considerations for surgeons. , 1996, The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry.

[11]  V. Kudryk,et al.  Development of an exostosis following a free gingival graft: case report. , 1996, Journal of periodontology.

[12]  Edward S. Cohen,et al.  Atlas of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Periodontal Surgery , 1994 .

[13]  D. Tse,et al.  Management of lower-lid retraction with hard-palate mucosa grafting. , 1990, Archives of ophthalmology.

[14]  J. Goldberg,et al.  Follow-up study of palatal graft donor sites in 24 patients. , 1978, Journal of oral surgery.

[15]  W. T. McFall,et al.  Placement of free gingival grafts on denuded alveolar bone. Part I: clinical evaluations. , 1978, Journal of periodontology.

[16]  H. Goldman,et al.  The gingival autograft and gingivectomy. , 1976, Journal of periodontology.

[17]  J. Bernimoulin,et al.  Coronally repositioned periodontal flap. Clinical evaluation after one year. , 1975, Journal of clinical periodontology.

[18]  A. Čelebić,et al.  Thickness of masticatory mucosa in the human hard palate and tuberosity dependent on gender and body mass index. , 2005, Collegium antropologicum.

[19]  H. Müller,et al.  Gingival phenotypes in young male adults. , 1997, Journal of clinical periodontology.

[20]  U. van der Velden.  Effect of age on the periodontium. , 1984, Journal of clinical periodontology.

[21]  P. Miller,et al.  Root coverage using a free soft tissue autograft following citric acid application. Part 1: Technique. , 1982, The International journal of periodontics & restorative dentistry.