Palatinal Oluk, Sırt ve Köprü Formasyonlarının Morfolojik ve Morfometrik Analizi: Bir Konik Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi Çalışması

Abstract

Background: The study aims to provide information on the location and morphology of the greater palatine groove, crest, and bridge in the hard palate and to improve awareness of these structures. Methods: Two hundred cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were randomly selected and the existence of the groove/crest/bridge structures was evaluated in the upper first and second molar regions, regardless of dental situations (dentate or edentulous). The grooves were classified as flat (<1.5 mm), shallow (from 1.5 to 3 mm), and deep (> 3 mm). The presence and types of groove were recorded. All data were assessed according to different age groups and sex. Results: Of the 200 images evaluated, 163 individuals (81.5%) had at least one groove and only 37 (18.5%) had no groove. A total of 737 grooves were detected and the mean depth of the grooves was 2.19±1 mm. The frequency of grooves was significantly higher in dentate regions (p<0.05). In the first and second molar regions, 185 sites (46.25%) and 231 sites (57.75%) had at least one groove, respectively. The most common type was shallow groove (53.18%, 392/737). The higher mean values of groove depth were in the 61-70 and 71-86 years’ age groups. Conclusion: Palatal groove is not a rare anatomic condition. Physicians should be aware of this structure to prevent damage to the neurovascular structures contained in grooves during surgical procedures in related areas.