A new method to assess and measure palatal masticatory mucosa by cone-beam computerized tomography

The aim of this study was to apply a novel method to obtain high-quality images by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) that consistently allowed the determination of the dimensions of the palatal mucosa.

Thirty-one patients participated in this study. At the time of the CBCT scanning, the patients wore a plastic lip retractor and wooden spatulas to retract soft tissues away from the teeth and gingiva. The thickness of the palatal mucosa was obtained at forty different locations on each patient.

Retraction of the lips and cheek allowed a clear observation and measurements of the thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa. The average thickness of the palatal mucosa was 2.92 mm in the canine area, 3.11 mm at the first pre-molar, 3.28 mm at the second pre-molar, 2.89 mm at the first molar and 3.15 mm at the second molar. Statistical differences were observed at different ages and heights of measurements.

A new non-invasive method to consistently obtain high-quality images of the palatal masticatory mucosa is described. Measurements of this mucosa could be obtained at different locations on the palate.