Palatal height, thickness and density according to facial biotype in Peruvian adults: a tomographic study

Micro-screw stability requires adequate bone quantity and quality. Micro-screws are often placed in the hard palate, in which anatomy may vary according to vertical growth. Aim: To compare the height, width and density of the palate according to facial biotype using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Method: Observational cross-sectional study on a sample of 39 CBCT scans of adults aged 18 to 50 years (19 females and 20 males) assigned to facial biotypes according to SN-GoGn. The height (mm), cortical width (mm) and density in Hounsfield units (HU) were measured at 20 coordinates on the left side of the palate coordinates corresponding to the combinations of four points medial to the suture (3, 5, 7 and 9 mm) and five points posterior to the incisive foramen (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mm). ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Values were: hypodivergent (height: 2.16-6.32 mm; width: 1.61-2.02 mm; density: 1117.28-1182.83 HU), normodivergent (height: 2.71-9.21 mm; width: 1.67-2.08 mm; density: 1106.53-1177.86 HU) and hyperdivergent (height: 2.37-12.32 mm; width: 1.62-2.07 mm; density: 1088.2-1156.7 HU). Compared to hyperdivergent subjects, in hypodivergent individuals 60% of the measurement points had lower heights and 15% of measurement points showed thinner, denser cortices, with significant differences (p <0.05). Conclusion: Facial biotypes were found to be associated with palate bone characteristics, with greater cortical heights and widths in hyperdivergent subjects and greater densities in hypodivergent subjects.