Stability of Palatal Rugae as a Forensic Marker in Orthodontically Treated Cases

Abstract

The palatal rugae have been used as a reference landmark and identification marker by orthodontists and forensic analysts. However, the reliability of palatal rugae as a forensic marker remains questionable once an individual is subjected to orthodontic treatment. This study aimed at evaluating the changes in the rugae pattern after nonextraction, extraction, and maxillary expansion orthodontic treatment. The lengths and shapes of palatal rugae were evaluated on the pretreatment and post-treatment dental casts of 168 subjects using the Thomas and Kotze classification. Extraction treatment significantly reduced the second and third rugae lengths (p < 0.05), whereas the third rugae length was significantly increased after palatal expansion (p < 0.05). The shape of rugae remained consistent in all the study groups which may be used as a reliable forensic marker in subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, the use of the lengths of palatal rugae in forensic odontology must be made with caution.

Predictability of orthodontic movement with orthodontic aligners: a retrospective study

“…First and foremost, it is necessary to identify stable structures within the oral cavity that can be used as reference points for superimposition of digital images. Among these, the palatine folds are the most frequently chosen [ 17 ], even though several studies have shown that their position and/or dimensions may vary in certain clinical conditions [ 18 ]. Furthermore, palatal structures may only be used as reference points in the upper jaw.…”

Continuous eruption of maxillary teeth and changes in clinical crown length: A 10‐year longitudinal study in adult women

“…We used superimposition on palatal rugae, that have been proposed and considered as a stable reference, 24,25 and have been used as a reference structure to assess sagittal changes (eg, molar distalization) 26,27 and vertical changes (eg, molar eruption, when coupled to lateral cephalograms). 19 We used a mushroom area, already described in the literature, 15,26 As the palate does not represent an absolute reference and it may have remodeling toward oral cavity, the net value of eruption may be underestimated.…”

Técnicas de identificação humana em Odontologia Legal

“…Para a sobreposição de várias fotografias digitais para se comparar os padrões de rugas palatinas, usa-se também variados computadores e programas (Sunil et al, 2014). A tecnologia de digitalização tridimensional (3D) facilita a correspondência computadorizada dos padrões de rugas palatinas de forma segura e comprovada, comparável ao padrão ouro atual que avalia impressões digitais (Taneva, Kusnoto & Evans, 2015) Com base nos estudos levantados, verificamos a presença de dúvida relativa à interferência do uso de aparelhos ortodônticos no padrão das rugas, mas apesar disso a maioria dos estudos comprovou que a forma de rugas permaneceu consistente (Pateria & Thakkar, 2011;Taneva, Kusnoto & Evans, 2015;Ali, Shaikh & Fida, 2016). Um estudo apenas afirmou que o tratamento ortodôntico induz alterações morfométricas que podem dificultar a identificação humana baseada em rugas palatinas, mas não impedir (Mustafa, Allouh & Alshehab, 2015).…”