title: Rugae dimensions and their significance in forensic dentistry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The palatal rugae are the ridges situated in the anterior part of the palatal mucosa, are unique to each individual, and can establish individual's identity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish the reliability of using the palatal rugae dimensions in identifying the different ethnic groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Many studies have established the reliability of using the palatal rugae patterns in identifying the different ethnic groups. However, no studies have been reported in the English language literature that uses the rugae dimensions to identify the different ethnic groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 subjects aged between 18-30 years comprising of 30 Kannada speaking and 30 Malayalam speaking individuals, with 15 males and 15 females, in each were considered for the study. The rugae patterns of these patients were traced on dental casts obtained with alginate impressions. A digital caliper was used to measure the different dimensions of the palatal rugae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis was carried out using the unpaired 't' test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed a significant difference in the palatal rugae dimensions among the Karnataka and Kerala individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Shri Hasanamba Dental College, Hassan, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sanjayagouda B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Shri Hasanamba Dental College, Hassan, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Manashvini S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Shri Hasanamba Dental College, Hassan, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Smita
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Shri Hasanamba Dental College, Hassan, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kavyashree G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Hebbar
keywords: Ethnic background; forensic dentistry; forensic identification; forensic science; palatal rugae