Comparison of palatal bone height in different facial morphological patterns by cone beam computed tomography

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between palatal bone height and facial types using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods: The study sample consisted of 110 CBCT images. Subjects aged 18 to 35 years old were classified as brachyfacial, mesofacial and dolichofacial, according to SN.GoGn angle, measured in cephalometric analysis with Nemotec 3D software. Three observers evaluated the bone height of the palate in the anterior region, at the level of the maxillary first premolars. The measurements were performed in sagittal and coronal views, in median and paramedian regions of the palate, also using Nemotec 3D software. Measurements were repeated after 15 days on 25% of the sample to analyse intra and interobserver agreements by CCI test. Analysis of variance was performed to calculate statistical differences between the bone heights of the three facial types, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The correlation level of intra-observer agreement was excellent. No significant differences were observed between the palatal bone height in the region of first premolars and the different facial types (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on CBCT evaluations, there is no association between palatal bone height and facial morphological patterns.

Keywords
cone-beam computed tomography; diagnostic imaging; orthodontic anchorage procedures