Palatal rugae: a biomarker for determining the position of artificial teeth

Purpose: The palatal rugae are a prominent stable landmark in the maxillary arch and its position lies constant throughout the life. Therefore it can be used as a guideline for the placement of artificial teeth in the maxillary arch. Materials and Methods: 150 subjects were randomly selected, 50 subjects of age group 20-40 years were taken for each arch form i.e. U shaped, V shaped and ovoid arch were selected and impressions were made. Materials used were maxillary dentulous casts, graphite pencil, metal scale, brass wire and divider. The length of palatal rugae, distance from palatal rugae to tip of canine, perpendicular distance from incisive papilla and midpoint of incisal surface to a line connecting 1st premolar and the distance from central incisor to incisive papilla were compared in all the 3 arch forms. Results: The length of 1st, 2nd and 3rd palatal rugae were statistically significant in ovoid, U and V shaped arches. The distance from end of first palatal rugae to tip of canine was more in ovoid arch when compared to U shaped arches and V shaped arches. The distance from incisive papilla to midpoint of central incisors in ovoid arch, U shaped arch, V shaped arch was not so significant. The Distance from posterior point of incisive papilla to perpendicular line connecting from premolars in ovoid, U shaped arch, V shaped arch was not so significant. Conclusion: In U shaped arches which appear broad mesio distally, square incisor teeth can be used. In ovoid arch, medium sized teeth were ovoid incisor teeth can be used. In V shaped arch as it is narrow and tapering mesio distally, tapering incisor teeth can be used. This study was therefore done to find out the position of teeth in relation to palatal rugae which in turn determines the selection of teeth accordingly.