Evaluation of thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa in posterior teeth and its relation with age and gender

Background: To evaluate the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa in posterior teeth by transgingival probing and determine its relation with age and gender. Materials and Methods: Forty systemically healthy volunteers with age range 16–38 years were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eighteen measurement points were made on the cast that was transferred onto the palate using clear acrylic stent to measure thickness. Three different lines a, b, and c: 3, 8, and 12 mm, respectively, from the gingival margin were made starting at the mid-palatal aspect of the canine and ending over the palatal root of the second molar. Six points were defined on each of the lines: Ca (mid-palatal aspect of the canine), P1 (mid-palatal aspect of the first premolar), P2 (mid-palatal aspect of the second premolar), M1 (palatal root of the first molar), Mi (interproximal aspect between the first and second molar), and M2 (palatal root of the second molar). Results: Soft-tissue thickness progressively increased in sites further from the gingival margin and was thickest adjacent to mid-palatal aspect of the second premolar 12 mm away from gingival margin. Younger age group patients had thinner posterior palatal mucosa as compared to older age group patients. Males had thicker posterior palatal mucosa as compared to females, but results were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The thickness of posterior palatal mucosa showed a varied degree of variation at different marked areas in different teeth, and the difference in the mean thickness was also associated with age and gender