Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the bone thickness of the hard palate using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to identify suitable sites for orthodontic mini-implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty CBCT scans were analyzed, comprising 31 women (mean age, 25.77 ± 7.16 yr.) and 19 men (mean age, 26.16 ± 6.92 yr.), aged 18-45 yr. Measurements were obtained using Real Scan 2.0 software on coronal sections at 4, 8, 12, and 16 mm posterior to the incisal foramen (IF) and at 0, 3, and 6 mm lateral to the midsagittal plane (MSP) on both sides. Statistical analysis was performed in Stata v15 using the Shapiro--Wilk, Mann--Whitney U, Wilcoxon, Kruskal--Wallis, and Dunn's post hoc tests, with a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the right and left sides. The greatest mean bone thickness was found at slice 4 along the MSP (5.91 ± 1.72 mm). A significant decrease in bone thickness was noted toward the lateral and posterior regions, except at slice 16. Men exhibited significantly greater bone thickness than women at 4, 8, and 12 mm. Slice 4 corresponded to the region between the first and second premolars in 48% of participants, whereas slice 8 corresponded to the level of the second premolar in 76% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: The region of the hard palate with the greatest bone thickness was identified at slice 4 (4 mm posterior to the IF) at 0, 3, and 6 mm lateral to the MSP, located in 48% of subjects between the first and second premolars. Men demonstrated significantly greater bone thickness than women at all slices except slice 16.