Morphology of palatal rugae patterns among 5-15 years old children.
BACKGROUND
"The fibers running anteroposteriorly within the core and in concentric curves across the base of each ruga" determine their orientation and forms. The varying shapes of palatal rugae can be attributed to the fact that rugae develop as localized regions of epithelial proliferation and thickening. Fibroblasts and collagen fibers then accumulate in the connective tissue beneath the thickened epithelium and assume distinct orientation.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the morphology, gender difference of rugae pattern in 5-15 year old children.


METHODS
The various diagnostic dental stone cast available in Department of Pedodontics were analyzed by the method based on Thomas and Kotze classification in 1983.


RESULTS
There was a female prediction in the total count and primary rugae pattern. Comparing the shapes of rugae both in male and female study models showed a predominance in wave shape followed by cure. No circular pattern was observed in the study population. No statistical difference in the direction and unification of rugae among males and females.


CONCLUSIONS
The fingerprint-like uniqueness of rugae to each individual has become accepted as a possible aid to person identification. This may help narrow the field for identification and give results in conjunction with the other methods such as visual, fingerprints, and dental characteristics in forensic sciences.
Department of Pedodontics, K.S.R. Institute of Dental Science and Research, Thokavadi, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vilvanathan Prabu
VP
Rajan
John Baby
JB
John
Ariudinambi
A
Stalin
Geetha
G
Priya
Abdul Kareem Syed
AK
Abuthagir
Forensic dentistry; identification; palatal rugae