title: Palatal exostosis in the molar region.
abstract: Six hundred and eithty-one dried human skulls of different ethnic backgrounds or localities were examined for the presence of palatal exostosis in the molar region. Of these samples, 276 (40.53%) exhibited some form of palatal exostosis. Chi-square analysis shows that the occurrence of exostosis is: (a) Dependent upon the locality in which the subject lives; (b) Influenced by age; (c) In any age group, dependent upon the locality; (d) Dependent upon the type or class of exostosis; (e) In any type, influenced by locality. The result of this investigation may become clinically important. It suggests, for the clinicians in the field of periodontics, certain diagnostic guidelines for treatment planning of periodontal surgical procedures in the palatal molar region. Thus, an awareness of the patients' ethnic background, as well as age, may be essential in order to minimize or avoid unnecessary postoperative healing complications.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001208:Asia; D005006:Ethnicity; D005060:Europe; D005096:Exostoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D010159:Palate