Transverse changes in lateral and medial aspects of palatal rugae after mid palatal expansion: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction:Palatal rugae has established role in forensic identification of an individual due to its stability in growth as well as orthodontic treatment. However effect of orthodontic mid-palatal expansion on rugae stability still requires further investigation. Hence, this study was aimed at evaluating the stability of palatal rugae in transverse dimension in adolescent patients of mid-palatal expansion.Materials and Methods:The study sample consists of 14 subjects (10F,4M, age 12.4 ± 2.0 years) with transverse maxillary constriction, treated with bonded and banded rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliance. 1st to 3rd rugae on pre- and post-expansion casts were recorded synchronously. Inter-medial and inter-lateral rugae distance were measured with digital calipers to record the transverse positional rugae changes.Results:There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in values after expansion between medial aspects of 2nd (p = 0.002) and 3rd rugae (p = 0.005) and lateral aspects of 1st (p = 0.015), 2nd (p = 0.006) and 3rd (p = 0.001) rugae. The transverse changes were recorded in the order of 3rd rugae >2nd rugae >1st rugae.Conclusion:This pilot study does not support stability of medial and lateral ruga points of 2nd and 3rd primary rugae for forensic identification in individuals treated with mid palatal expansion.

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

“…When comparing the subjects treated with RPE to those treated with nonextraction treatment, the palatal expansion group showed a significant increase in the third rugae length which is almost similar to a study carried out by Damstra et al and Kapoor and Miglani . The diagnosis of maxillary expansion is difficult to make by a postmortem examination; however, the dental characteristics and rugae shapes may still prove helpful in the identification process.…”

Rugoscopy: A Diagnostic Appurtenance for Malocclusion or just a Forensic Aid? - A Pilot Study

“…Although, some habits like finger sucking or persistent pressure from orthodontic treatment or dentures and orthodontic extractions may bring about local changes in PR [2,11], the stability in shape of PR has been routinely exploited for dental cast superimposition to monitor tooth movement in orthodontics [12][13][14]. Besides, an appreciable hereditary component of palatal rugae has also been suggested in various twin and family studies [15][16][17] but this varies in extent and characteristics in different investigations.…”

Hızlı Üst Çene Genişletmesi Tedavisinde Palatal Rugaların Transversal Yöndeki Değişimlerinin İncelenmesi

“…Medial (M) ve lateral (L) noktalar, birinci, ikinci ve üçüncü ruganın medial ve lateral uçlarında işaretlendi. İnter-medial (IM) ve inter-lateral (IL) ruga mesafesi 0,1 mm hassasiyetle dijital kumpaslar yardımıyla ölçüldü 17. (Resim 1).…”