Thickness of masticatory mucosa

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess thickness of all parts of the masticatory mucosa by using an ultrasonic measuring device. METHODS: A total of 40 periodontally healthy subjects, 19 to 30 years old, took part. Thickness of masticatory mucosa was measured at a maximum of 149 sites in each proband. RESULTS: Female volunteers had significantly thinner mean masticatory mucosa than males (p<0.01). Mean thickness of facial gingiva ranged between 0.7 mm at canines in the maxilla and central incisors in the mandible and 2.3 mm at 3rd molars in the mandible. In the mandible, thickness of lingual gingiva ranged between 0.9 mm at lateral incisors and 2.3 mm at 3rd molars. Interdental gingiva ranged between 1.0 mm 2.1 mm. With 3 mm or more, on average, palatal masticatory mucosa was thickest in the 3rd molar region and at 2nd premolars at more central locations. 2 regions with comparatively thin palatal mucosa of about 2 mm were identified, namely (i) at central and lateral incisors and (ii) at the prominence of the palatal roots of 1st and 2nd molars. The thickest tissue with more than 4 mm, on average, was observed in the tuberosity and retromolar regions. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable intra- as well as interindividual variation of thickness of masticatory mucosa could be observed. According to differences in thickness of facial and interdental gingiva, it appears that lining is also an important function of the gingiva in reducing and smoothing the pronounced convexities of the dentoalveolar, i.e., skeletal, complex.