The association between palatal rugae pattern and dental malocclusion

Abstract

Introduction: Palatal rugae complete its development during early intrauterine life, whereas dental malocclusions in permanent dentition establishes several years into the post-natal life. Objective: The objective of present study was to determine if there is an association between the palatal rugae pattern and Angle’s classes of malocclusion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pretreatment dental casts of 184 patients. The sample was divided into the following groups: Class I, Class II div. 1, Class II div. 2, and Class III. The number of palatal rugae was recorded, bilaterally. The length, pattern and orientation of three anterior-most primary rugae on both sides were recorded. Results: The mean age of the study sample was 17.8 ± 5.4 years. The mean number of the palatal rugae was 11.18 ± 2.5, with significant differences among different malocclusion groups. The length of the first rugae on left side and third rugae on both sides varied significantly among the groups (p< 0.05). Similarly, the pattern of palatal rugae was also found to be significantly different among the malocclusion groups. The right sided rugae did not have any significant difference in the orientation in different malocclusion groups; however, the left sided rugae showed significant differences among the four malocclusion groups (p< 0.001). Conclusions: The current study showed subtle differences in the palatal rugae pattern among the Angle’s classes of malocclusion. Similarly, the length and orientation of some rugae were also found to be significantly different between malocclusion groups.

Association Between Palatal Rugae Pattern and Dental Caries Among the General Population: A Cross‑sectional Study

“…[17] Some studies have stated that there was insignificant sexual dimorphism in the rugae pattern. [1] However, the present study stated that there was significance, i.e., there was increased number of straight patterns of rugae in females compared to that of males (P < 0.05).…”

“…The characteristics of palatal rugae are unique to every individual. [1] The palatal rugae play a major role in mastication, deglutition, and speech. [9] Dental caries is caused by host, agent, and environmental factors, hence the dermatoglyphic and palatal rugae patterns can be used as oral health markers in the early prediction of dental caries.…”

“…The palatal rugae are unique structures which are inalterable in their position and pattern throughout the lifetime of an individual. [1] Palatal rugae are irregular asymmetric ridges of mucous membrane extending laterally from the incisive papilla to the anterior part of median palatal rugae. They appear during the 3rd month of intrauterine life and occupy most of the length of palatal shelves.…”

Validity and reliability of palatal rugae morphometric assessment with 3D laser scanned models

“…The linear size of the rugae were mostly measured using a digital calliper from the most medial to the most lateral point of each ruga 27 or using a divider and ruler 9,28 . However, these methods are only able to measure linear distance, excluding the actual curvature distance.…”

Determination of rugae pattern in non-treated normal angle class I, II and class III mal-occlusion

“…31,33 These methods may provide accurate and rapid information but due to some disadvantages for example. 34 DNA testing is expensive and time taking for use in large populations, fingerprinting also cannot be performed in certain cases such as burn victims. 21,35 For accurate and more reliable results in forensic identification, new technique is invented such as forensic odontology.…”