Relationship of the thickness of maxillary midpalatal area with facial height, gender and age in cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Routine anchorage techniques in orthodontics usually result in untoward reciprocal tooth movements.So mini-implants have been incorporated into orthodontic treatment. The aim of the present study was to measure the thicknesses of bone and soft issues in the mid-palatal area at certain points for the placement of orthodontic mini-implants using CBCT and evaluate their relationships with facial height , age and gender. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study,a total of 161 subjects were evaluated.In all the samples 20 points were evaluated.Para-coronal cross-sections were prepared at 4-, 8-, 16- and 24-mm distances from the posterior wall of the incisive foramen; in addition, on each cross-section, the mid-sagittal and para-sagittal areas were determined at 3- and 6-mm intervals bilaterally. The soft tissue and bone thickness were measured at these points(p<0.05). Results: The soft tissue thickness increased with age. In addition, in the majority of points the overall bone thickness was significantly higher in males compared to that in females. There was significantly less mean bone thickness in long faces compared to short faces. However, the thickness of cortical bone in normal faces was similar to that in long and short faces. Conclusion: Age was not a determining factor for bone thickness, while where was a stronger relationship between soft tissue thickness and age. In addition, the most appropriate locations were the suture areas and at paramedian area at 3- and 6-mm distances from the suture, 4 mm posterior to the incisive foramen.