Evaluation of Variations in Morphology and Morphometry of the Hard Palate Using CBCT Images: A Radio-Surgical Perspective

Objective: This retrospective study aims to unveil the changes in morphology and morphometric features of hard palate on CBCT images and evaluate its age- and gender- related variations in a Turkish subpopulation. Methods: The present investigation analyzed CBCT of 300 individuals aged between 19 and 71 retrospectively. Measurements of palate dimension (length, breadth, and height) and palate inclination (superiorly, parallel, and inferiorly) and the calculation of palatine index (leptostaphyline, mesostaphyline, and brachystaphyline) and palatine height index (chamestaphyline, orthostaphyline, and hypsistaphyline), were quantified and statistically evaluated. Results: The mean length, breadth, and height of hard palate were found as 48.79±3.8 mm, 39.67±3.43 mm, and 12.79±3,01 mm, respectively. The palatine index was mostly brachystaphylline (99.67%), followed by leptostaphylline (0.33%) and mesostaphylline (0%). The palatal height index was orthostaphyline (58.33%), followed by chamestaphyline (28%) and hypsistaphyline (13.67%). A significant difference between genders was not detected in the palate inclination, palatine index and height index compared to other parameters (p˂0.05). The largest palate breadth and inferiorly inclined palate are mostly observed in those aged ≥25 years than in those aged ≤24 years (p=0.015 and p=0.010, respectively; p˂0.05). Conclusion: The results of present investigation will provide useful radio-anatomical data for the prevention of possible complications of surgical procedures.