Evaluation of Thickness of Palatal Masticatory Mucosa in Relation with Age and Gender

ABSTRACT:- Background: - Palatal masticatory mucosa is most commonly used as the donor site for harvesting of the subepithelial connective tissue graft for the selection of the treatment modalities as it may affect the surgical outcome. Therefore the present study was undertaken to evaluate the thickness of masticatory mucosa in relation with age and gender. Methods and materials: - 50 systemically healthy individuals were selected for the study. The younger age group consisted of 25 individuals between age group 15-20 years and rest of the subjects was belonging to the older age group between 30-50 years. A bone sounding procedure was used to examine the palatal mucosal thickness. Results: - The thickness of the masticatory mucosa ranged between 1.3 to 4.4 mm in all the subjects and it also showed variations in relation with age and gender. Conclusion: -Therefore, it was concluded that younger individuals particularly females have significantly thinner mucosa as compared to males and older subjects. Key words: masticatory mucosa, age and gender.