IADR Abstract Archives

Anatomical situation of the greater palatine foramen: a study of 150 CBCT

Objectives: The greater palatine canal is a vascular nerve tunnel which should be respected during any surgical act around this area. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the position of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) in Tunisian patients using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to prevent the damage of this complex.
Methods: We used 150 CBCT providing anatomical information for the GPF. Patients aged more than 17 years with second or third upper molar were included, while those with history of pathology or trauma to the maxilla were excluded. The position of the GPF was evaluated referring to two axes: X (between the second and third upper molar) and Y (in the middle of occlusal table of these teeth). ANOVA, Chi square and Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis. The result was considered significant at p<0.05.
Results: The sample involved 56.7% females and 43.3% males (sex ratio=1.3). The GPF was: mesially and distally located to the X axis in 4.7% and 48%, respectively; mesially and distally tangent in 0.70% and 24%, respectively and, finally, centered in 22.70%. No correlation was found between The GPF location and age and gender (p>0.05). As for the form, The GPF had either a rounded or an oval shape in 48.6% and 51.4%, respectively. However, a significant correlation between the GPF form and the gender was recorded (p=0.001). Indeed, a significant variation, according to the gender, was found in the distance between the inter-maxillary suture and the GPF (p=0.000).
Conclusions: The present study shows that the GPF is mostly related to the third upper molar and between the second and the third molar. Any surgery in these areas should be performed cautiously to prevent damage to this vascular-nerve complex.
Tunisian Section Meeting
2017 Tunisian Section Meeting (Monastir, Tunisia)
Monastir, Tunisia
2017

Oral Medicine & Pathology
  • Benzarti, Meriem  ( Dental clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Ben Abdellah, Sofiene  ( Dental Clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Tlili, Mohamed  ( Dental clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Khanfir, Faten  ( Dental Clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Khalfi, Mohamed Salah  ( Dental Clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • Benamor, Faten  ( Dental Clinic , Monastir , Tunisia )
  • NONE
    Oral Session
    Oral Communication for Local Hatton Competition