Morphometric analysis of palatal bone in dentate and edentulous maxillae and literature review. Part I. Incisive Foramen

Abstract

Objective:To carry out a descriptive study of the morphology of the anterior hard palate, compare the anatomical changes and evaluate the anthropometric measurements that are observed in both dentate and edentulous upper jaws.Methods: Forty dentate and 39 edentulous maxillae of unknown sex, age, and phenotypic traits from a South American population were measured for multiple anatomical landmarks related to the incisive foramen (IF) and buccal bone table between maxillary central incisors and spine. posterior nasal (PNS) with a digital caliper. Means and standard deviation were calculated. Pooled T-Student or Mann-Whitney U tests were used (p < 0.05).Results: The distance between the buccal bone table and the anterior edge of the FI was 6.95 mm in dentate maxillaeand 3.87 mm in edentulous maxillae. The maximum anteroposterior diameter of the FI was 8 mm in dentate and 7 mm in edentulous. The anteroposterior diameter of the FI was 4.91 mm in dentate and 4.21 mm in edentulous. The distance between the vestibular bone table and the PNS was 56.01 mm in dentate and 49.82 mm in edentulous. The distance between the FI and the right and left FPM was 36.12 mm and 36.61 mm, respectively, in dentate patients and 35.95 mm and 36.12 mm in edentulous patients.Conclusion: The present study provides morphometric data of the region of the anterior palatal vault and could help to afford surgeries in this anatomical region