The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness of masticatory mucosa in the hard palate as a donor site for mucogingival surgery by using computerized tomography(CT). Thickness measurements were performed in 84 adult patients who took CT on maxilla for implant surgery and 24 standard measurement points were defined in the hard palate according to the gingival margin and mid palatal suture. Radiographic measurements were utilized after calibration for standardization. Data were analyzed to determine the differences in mucosal thickness by gender, age, tooth positions and depth of palatal vault.

The results of this study were as follows:

Mean thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa was 3.93±0.6mm and females had significantly thinner mean masticatory mucosa(3.76±0.56mm) than males(4.04±0.6mm)(p<0.05).

The thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa increased by aging.

Depending on position, masticatory mucosa thickness increased from canine to premeolar, but decreased at the first molar, and increased again in the second molar region(p<0.0001).

No significant difference in mean thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa were indentified between low palatal vault group and high palatal vault group(p>0.05).

The results suggest that canine and premolar area appears to be the most appropriate donor site for soft tissue grafting procedure. The measurement of the thickness of palatal masticatory mucosa by using computerized tomography can offer useful information clinically but further studies in assessing the validity and reliability of the method using computerized tomography is needed.