title: Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of the soft tissue thickness and greater palatine foramen location in the palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the palatal mucosa thickness and greater palatine foramen location using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cone-beam computerized tomography images of 345 patients were measured. The relationship between palate vault depth and angle between the alveolar bone and palatal plane (PA) was evaluated. Differences in the palatal mucosal thickness according to age, gender and tooth site were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean palatal mucosal thickness from the second molar to the canine teeth were 3.7, 3.3, 3.7, 3 and 3 mm, respectively. The palatal mucosal thickness at the second molar and second premolar was statistically different from those at other zones. There was no correlation between the palatal junction angle and the palatal depth. Greater palatine foramen was observed at the level of third molar tooth, between third and second molar, second molar 63%, 31% and 6% in men and 56%, 36% and 8% in women respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The second premolar to second molar zone was considered a suitable graft site based on the mean palatal mucosal thickness.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Near East University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan Guney
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boke
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Near East University, Mersin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aysa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cone-beam computed tomography; free gingival graft; subepithelial connective tissue graft