Palatal soft tissue thickness at different ages using an ultrasonic device.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the palatal soft tissue thickness among placement sites of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in late mixed, early permanent and permanent dentition.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The sample consisted of three groups; 42 late mixed dentition (mean age = 11.0 years), 41 early permanent dentition (mean age = 13.8 years), and 38 permanent dentition (mean age = 23.1 years). Soft tissue thickness was measured intraorally with an ultrasonic device using a grid of 27, 4 x 4 mm2 squares to delineate the measurement points. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to analyze the data.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in soft tissue thickness among dentition groups with the permanent dentition group showing the highest values (P < 0.001). In each group, the thickness significantly increased from median to lateral and from anterior to posterior sites. Furthermore, the thickness showed a significant difference according to the arch form and gender (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences according to irregularity index and Angle classification.

CONCLUSIONS

The soft tissue thickness of the palate increases from the late mixed to permanent dentition. These findings may be helpful for clinicians to enhance their successful application of TADs in the palate.