Disparity in Thickness of Palatal Mucosa at Different Sites in Terms of Age and Gender in a South Indian Population

Background and aims. Palatal masticatory mucosa serves as donor material in periodontal plastic surgery. This study determined the palatal mucosal thickness in Indian subjects aged 14−59 years by direct bone sounding and its association with gender and age. Materials and methods. This observational study was conducted on 40 dentate systemically and periodontally healthy Indians (age range of 14−59) including 20 males and 20 females, who were divided into two age groups: young (14−21) and older (30−59). A bone sounding method with a periodontal probe and a prepared clear acrylic stent were used to define 12 fixed measurement points for estimation of mucosal thickness. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association of age and gender with mean mucosal thickness at subject level. Student’s t-test was used to determine the difference in mucosal thickness between two age groups, and between genders at each measurement point. Results. Younger group had significantly thinner mucosa (2.73±0.43) than the older group (2.79±0.28). The exception was at first premolar and first molar areas along the gingival margin. Females had thinner mucosa than males in the same age group, with no significant differences. Overall, the thickness of palatal mucosa increased from canine to first molar and in sites farthest from the gingival margin towards the mid-palate. Conclusion. The palatal mucosa in the area extending along the tip of canine to mesiopalatal cusp tip of first molar seemed an appropriate donor site for grafting procedures in both young and older individuals