Comparison of Palatal Mucosa Thickness in Individuals With and Without Cleft lip and Palate

Objective To compare palatal mucosal thickness between individuals with and without cleft lip and palate (CLP). Design Retrospective observational study. Settings Tertiary-level craniofacial referral center. Participants Thirty-eight cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from individuals without CLP (control group, C) and 60 scans from individuals with CLP (test group, T). Main Outcome Measures Palatal mucosal thickness was measured in sagittal CBCT slices at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the canine (Ca), first premolar (P1), second premolar (P2), first molar (M1), and second molar (M2). Additional measurements were obtained at 3-mm intervals from the CEJ toward the mid-palatal suture (R3, R6, R9, and R12). Results In group C, the thinnest mucosa was observed at M1 (2.95 ± 1.11 mm), whereas P2 showed the greatest thickness (3.72 ± 1.20 mm). In group T, P1 presented the lowest thickness (4.27 ± 1.30 mm), and M2 the highest (4.67 ± 1.93 mm). A significant difference was observed between groups ( p < .001). In individuals with CLP, palatal vault height was associated with CAR6 and M1R6, whereas the number of palatoplasties was associated only with P1R6. Conclusion In individuals with CLP, the region extending from the distal aspect of the canine to the mesial aspect of the palatal root of the first molar appears to represent the most favorable anatomical region for palatal soft tissue graft harvesting.