Validity and reliability of palatal rugae morphometric assessment with 3D laser scanned models

Aim: To assess the reliability and validity of morphometric features on 3D digital models produced by scanning maxillary dental casts of Malaysian Malay subjects. Methods: Dental casts of 20 subjects were scanned using a 3D laser scanner (Next Engine Inc., Santa Monica, California, USA). The palatal rugae morphometric features were assessed on the resulting 3D models using 3-Matic Research 9.0 software (Materialise NV, Heverlee, Belgium). The assessments were repeated by the first and second authors to assess the intra- and interexaminer reliability, respectively. Rugae morphometric features were also evaluated on the conventional plaster models to assess the validity of the 3D method. Results: Kappa values of the validity ranged from 0.807 to 0.922 for rugae shape, size category and direction. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for rugae number validity was 0.979. For intra-examiner reliability, kappa values ranged from 0.716-1.000 for rugae shape, size category and direction. The ICC for rugae number intra-examiner reliability was 0.949. Kappa values of interexaminer reliability for rugae shape, size category and direction were 0.723-885, while the ICC of rugae number was 0.896. Conclusion: Palatal rugae analyses on 3D digital models scanned by the 3D Next Engine laser scanner using 3-Matic Research 9.0 software are valid and reliable.

Personal Identification using Odontometry and Palatoscopy: A Pakistani Perspective

Aim: To determine the most common rugae pattern and to find if it has any association with dental arch form or malocclusion. Study Design and setting: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted using the records of 200 patients visiting the Orthodontic Outpatient department of Bahria University Medical and Dental College. Methodology: Number, size, orientation and pattern of palatal rugae were assessed on the plaster models. Dental malocclusion along with dental arch form and width were also evaluated. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies were analyzed. Chi square, Fischer exact test and One Way ANOVA was used to see the significance of differences, p≤0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The sample comprised of class I (n=97), class II(n=87) and class III(n=16).113 cases had inter-molar width >44mm while 87 had ≤44mm. Posterior orientation of the rugae, was pre-dominant for both right (n=100) and left (n=122) first rugae. The most common pattern was curved for both first rugae on right (n=66) and left (n=72) sides. Conclusion: Our study showed that the rugae pattern, size and numbers did not show significant variation in different malocclusion classes. It can be concluded that rugae pattern do not have any significant association with malocclusion class or arch form. Keywords: Arch form, Arch width, Forensic dentistry, Malocclusion, Palatal Rugae

The Pattern of Palatal Rugae in sub-population of Pakistani adults

Background: Despite the existence of the most reliable and authentic tools of personal identification such as fingerprints, dental, and DNA analysis, the palatal rugae are recommended as an adjuvant aid in forensic diagnosis. Palatal rugoscopy or palatoscopy aims to specify a person’s identity and gender discrimination. Aim: To determine the morphological pattern of palatal rugae considering gender. Settings and design: Cross-sectional study, calcorrugoscopy, chi-square test Material: This incorporated 360 subjects encompassing an equal ratio of the male and female genders. Undertaking the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, calcorrugoscopy technique was utilized in which maxillary casts were obtained through irreversible hydrocolloid impression material (Cavex cream alginate – fast set) and poured in type III dental stone. The assessed morphological parameters were shape and unification. Trobo’s classification and Thomas and Kotze’s criteria were used to assess shape and unification respectively to assess the qualitative aspect of palatal rugae. Descriptive analysis was generated in terms of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: The most frequently occurred rugae pattern was sinuous followed by a line with divergent unification. Sexual dimorphism was not evident among the selected subjects regarding rugae shape and unification configuration.Moreover, the same trend regarding shape and unification was repeated on both sides of the palate, with no significant difference noted in number of palatal rugae undertaking both sides. Conclusions: Every individual possesses a unique rugae pattern irrespective of gender. Keywords: Cross- sectional, Adults, Gender dimorphism, Pakistan, Palatal rugae

Palatoscopy (Rugoscopy) assistance in forensic investigations

Human identification is most challenging field in forensics. Scrutiny of the fingerprints ,teeth and DNA comparison are commonly used techniques, thus allowing quicker and secure fast and identification processes. Palatal rugae markings are unique to an individual and are stable throughout the life. Rugae don’t undergo any changes apart from in length throughout the life. Thuspalatoscopy or palatal rugoscopy is used as an aid in forensic investigations.

Correlation of Growth Pattern and Palatal Rugae Pattern in South Indian Population

Aim: To determine the correlation between palatal rugae (PR) pattern and subjects with vertical, average, and horizontal growth pattern and to determine gender variation if any. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty study models were divided into horizontal, vertical, and average growth patterns with 40 (20 males and 20 females) samples in each group. The pattern of PR was assessed in each group using a template. Result: Type B (wavy type) PR occurs more often in horizontal and average growth pattern (80% and 72.5% respectively), whereas its occurrence in vertical growth pattern subject is the least among other growth patterns, that is, 42.5% of the total subjects. Type E (curved type) PR has appeared highest in 27.5% of average growth pattern patient followed by 12.5% of vertical growth pattern subjects. The occurrence of type E PR is least in horizontal growth pattern which is just 5% of the total subjects. Conclusion: Curved-type PR was more prevalent in vertical and average growth patterns. Diverging PR pattern was mainly seen in vertical growth pattern. PR also shows sexual dimorphism. The association is clinically significant as it will lead to determination of facial vertical growth pattern at early age; thus, it serves as a diagnostic adjunct for different malocclusions very early in life and aids in preventive or interceptive orthodontic measures to alleviate forthcoming growth pattern.

CORRELATION OF LIP PRINT, RUGAE PATTERN AND ABO BLOOD GROUP AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS FROM HARYANA: A FORENSIC STUDY

Introduction: Lip prints and palatal rugae are highly individualistic and stable structure, resist changes to disease and trauma and stays permanent throughout life. Correlation of lip print, rugae pattern and blood group can contribute to more precise personal identication apart from other conventional methods. Aim: To correlate lip prints and rugae pattern to blood group among dental students from Haryana. Methodology: Total 100 dental students were included in the study and divided into two groups of 50 males and 50 females. Lip prints were recorded using lipstick and cellophane tape, analyzed according to Suzuki and Tsuchiashi's classication. Rugae pattern were recorded using alginate and analyzed on the cast according to Kapali et al classication. Blood group of the same individuals were recorded and correlated. Obtained data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software v 21.0, IBM. Results: Statistically non-signicant difference was found between both male and female in upper lip pattern (p= 0.751) whereas for lower lip statistically signicant difference was found in males (p=0.004) with predominance of type III pattern whereas in females type I, II patterns predominated. For rugae, statistically non-signicant difference was found (p=0.196), in both the groups with predominance of wavy pattern and no difference in the frequencies of each type of blood group in both genders were seen. Conclusion: Rugae pattern was found to be signicantly correlated with blood group, with higher frequency of wavy pattern among dental students from Haryana

Evaluation and Comparison of Different Palatal Rugae Patterns between Dentulous and Edentulous Population of Mysuru City – A Preliminary Forensic Survey

BACKGROUND Forensic odontology is a branch of dentistry which deals with appropriate handling and examination of dental evidences and with the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings in the interest of justice. Identification of an individual is a prerequisite for certification of death and for personal, social and legal reasons. Palatal rugae are permanent and unique to each person, and can be used by clinicians and scientists to establish identity. It can be of special interest in edentulous cases and also in certain conditions, such as burned bodies or bodies that underwent severe decomposition. Thus the uniqueness, postmortem resistance, overall stability and additionally low utilization cost makes palatal rugae ideal forensic identification parameters. We wanted to compare the various palatal rugae patterns between dentate and edentulous subjects and also determine the comparison of the distribution of rugae number, length, shape, direction, unification between dentate and edentulous subjects. METHODS The study sample consisted of 60 subjects, 30 dentulous and 30 edentulous from JSS Dental College & Hospital, Mysuru. The study group was equally divided between the sex, and was observed for number, length, shape, direction and unification of all palatal rugae. RESULTS The total number of rugae was higher in the dentulous group than in the edentulous group. In edentulous group, shorter lengths, lesser complexity rugae were seen compared to dentulous subjects. The total number of rugae on the right side in dentulous casts were 4.20 ± 1.06, while the total number on right side in Edentulous casts were 4.16 ± 0.79. On the left side mean total number of rugae in dentulous casts was 4.46 ± 0.79 whereas the mean total number of rugae in edentulous casts was 3.76 ± 0.77. CONCLUSIONS Palatal rugae pattern changed greatly after aging and loss of teeth regardless of time of edentulism and wearing denture. KEY WORDS Dentulous, Edentulous, Palatal Rugae, Forensic Identification