Palatoscopy and Palatal Rugae Pattern among Adolescents of Southeastern Kosovo

Abstract

Background: Palatal rugae are elevations found on the anterior part of the hard palate and are the most stable features in the mouth. Our study aimed to analyze the palatal rugae pattern among an adolescent sample of the Albanian population in southeastern Kosovo. Methods and Results: A total of 100 adolescents (50 females and 50 males) aged from 12 to 18 were selected from schools in southeastern Kosovo. Palatal impressions were taken with elastomers, and models of the upper jaw were poured into stone casts for further examination. The rugae patterns were classified according to the Thomas and Kotze classification. The current study indicates that the predominant rugae pattern among the young population in southeastern Kosovo is the straight rugae. The predominant rugae pattern among female subjects is straight rugae and among males, wavy rugae; the frequency of various rugae patterns differed significantly between men and women. The total number of palatal rugae in men was significantly higher than in women. At the same time, there is no significant difference in the number of palatal rugae on the left and right sides between male and female subjects.