3D longitudinal changes in palatal morphology in growing subjects: A retrospective study

The palate plays a crucial role in oral functions such as speech, breathing, and mastication. Understanding its development during growth is essential for diagnosis and treatment planning. This study aimed to assess changes in palatal depth, width, volume, and surface area at ages 8, 12, and 18.

This retrospective analysis of palatal characteristics was performed on dental casts obtained at 3 time points: 8, 12, and 18 years of age from untreated cases obtained from the Forsyth Twin Growth Study database collected from 1959-1975. The casts were scanned then eleven landmarks were plotted and a 3D analysis was performed to obtain the anterior and posterior widths and depths, surface area, and volume. Repeated measures ANOVA and posthoc Bonferroni's test were performed to evaluate the changes at different ages.

Thirty subjects (16 females and 14 males) were included in this study. There was a statistically significant increase in volume and posterior depth among all age groups for both sexes. Surface area exhibited early growth from age 8 to 12 in males, plateauing after 12 years, while anterior depth significantly increased from ages 12 to 18 in both sexes. Anterior width grew significantly in females during the same period, with no significant changes in males. Posterior width showed a gradual increase with no significant difference between 8 and 12 years or 12 and 18 years.

There were consistent incremental changes in the palate's volume and posterior depth. The anterior width of the palate did not show consistent growth, as it only significantly increased dimensions from 12 to 18 years of age in females, whereas the surface area plateaued in males after 12 years, and posterior width changes were non-significant.