title: Palatal mucosal measurements in a Japanese population using cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although assessment of entire palatal mucosal thickness is important in many dental procedures, available data are mostly limited to the lateral aspect of the palate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to perform a comprehensive analysis of the palatal mucosal thickness from the gingival margin to the mid-palatine suture in a Japanese population. Associations of palatal mucosal thickness with the palatal vault depth were also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements on the coronal plane were obtained from 44 adults with 3-mm interval in the canine (Ca), first premolar (P1), second premolar (P2), midpoint between first and second molars (M1d), first molar (M1), and second molar (M2). Furthermore, the location of greater palatine foramen (GPF) and palatine groove (PG) were also investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Canine region did not show a significant difference throughout measured points. P1, P2, and all molar regions were thickest at 9, 12, and 12 mm from the gingival margin, respectively. At 3 and 6 mm, Ca, P1, and P2 showed significantly greater thickness than the molar region. At 9 mm, P1 demonstrated a greater thickness than M1d, and P2 was greater than M1 and Mi. At 12 and 15 mm, P1 was thinner than P2, M1, and M2, whereas P2 was thinner than M2. M1 was thinner than M2. The high-vault group showed a significantly greater thickness than the low-vault group. In majority of subjects, GPF and PG were identified in second molar and first premolar to first molar, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palatal mucosa in a Japanese population was the thickest in canine to premolar regions at 9 to 12 mm from the gingival margin. Identification of GPF and PG using CBCT can assist diagnosis of palate seems to minimize surgical complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study evaluated the thickness of palatal mucosa in a Japanese population using cone-beam computed tomography, covering a wide range. Canine to second premolar regions are the most suitable in harvesting palatal mucosa for the purpose of soft tissue grafts.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology, Tsurumi University Dental Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ueno
authors.forename: Rei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Asiri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jayawardena
authors.forename: Satoro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shinpo
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult