Assessment of Palatal Mucosal Thickness in Different Vertical Skeletal Pattern: a 3D Analysis
Assessment of Palatal Mucosal Thickness in Different Vertical Skeletal Pattern: a 3D Analysis
This study assesses the potential statistical correlation between vertical facial pattern and palatal mucosa thickness.
Data collection : dicom files (CBCT) merged with STL files of n patients for soft tissue visualization
Aim: to volumetrically assess (with CBCT) the palatal mucosa thickness in different vertical facial types to aid clinicians in the planning and placement of orthodontic miniscrews.
Hypothesis : There is no significant difference between the 3 groups studied (i.e. no correlation between palatal mucosa thickness and vertical facial typology).
Study rationale : The use of palatal miniscrew offers the possibility to improve the effectiveness of orthodontic expansion devices. Palatal expanders supported by miniscrew can be applied with different clinical protocols. The palatal mucosa thickness affects the choice of miniscrew length.
Justification for overlaying on STL files: When the lingual dorsum and palatal mucosa are in mutual contact during CBCT examination, it is not possible to distinguish one from the other during subsequent imaging evaluation. Various methods have been proposed to overcome these limitations, including the superimposition of the dicom and stl files: this methodology enables the profile of the palatal mucosa to be distinctly identified in all the analyzed scans.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: