PERIODONTOLOGY
ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE GREATER PALATINE ARTERY: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR PALATAL GRAFT PROCEDURES
DOI : https://doi.org/10.25241/stomaeduj.2023.10(1-4).art.5
Abstract
Background
The palate is a well-established donor site for obtaining graft tissue, but it is limited by the proximity to the adjacent teeth and the greater palatal artery.
Methods
A total of 10 cadaver hemifaces were dissected perpendicular to the median palatine raphe (MPR) from the greater palatine to the incisive foramen into vertical slices of 3 mm in width. On each slice, the distance from the epithelial surface to the superior border of the GPA, the diameter, the distance from the inferior border of the vessel to the bone, the distances from the MPR and from the teeth or midline of the alveolar crest to the GPA were measured.
Results
The mean tissue thickness above the GPA was 4.30 mm ranging from 1.92 – 8.72 mm. It decreased from the 3rd molar to the canine area with the greatest thickness being in the 2nd molar region and the shallowest in the lateral incisor region. A significant correlation (R2 = 0.92) was found between the total palatal tissue thickness and tissue thickness above the GPA.
Conclusion
The mean tissue thickness above the GPA was 4.30 mm ranging from 1.92 – 8.72 mm. It decreased from the 3rd molar to the canine area with the greatest thickness being in the 2nd molar region and the shallowest in the lateral incisor region. A significant correlation (R2 = 0.92) was found between the total palatal tissue thickness and tissue thickness above the GPA.
Keywords: Connective Tissue Grafts; Dental Research; Free Gingival Grafts; Greater Palatine Artery; Periodontics;