1Professor & Head, Department of Prosthodontics and Oral Implantology, Mithila Minority, Dental College & Hospital, Darbhanga
2Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Sirte Dental School, Sirte University, Sirte Libya
3Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Asan Memorial Dental College, Chennai
4Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, I.T.S Centre for Dental Studies and Research, Muradnagar
*Address for Correspondence: Dr. Mahesh Suganna, Professor & Head, Department of Prosthodontics and Oral Implantology, Mithila Minority, Dental College & Hospital, Darbhanga, E-mail: maheshgolgeri@gmail.com
Online published on 25 April, 2017.
Palatal rugae are asymmetric ridges of the palatal mucosa unique to every human with typical orientation extending laterally from incisive papilla in the anterior part of palatal raphe. The paucity of data on characteristic palatal rugae identity of Arab Libyan populace directed to conduct the present study.
To study and compare the characteristic rugae pattern among Arab Libyan male and female sample.
This cross sectional study was conducted on 60 Libyans (30 males, 30 females) between 18–25 years of age recruited through convenience sampling which included students and patients from Sirte dental college. On obtaining consent, 60 maxillary study models were prepared. Rugae were highlighted by black pencil on the cast; magnification lens and ruler were used for identification/measurement by one calibrated examiner. Classification of rugae pattern by Thomas and Kotze (1983), assessing rugae by number, length (<5mm, 5-10mm, >10mm), shape (straight, curved, wavy, circular) and unification (converging, diverging) was followed. Statistical data analysis was done by intercooled STATA 9. Student t-test and chi square test were used for statistical comparison between two groups, P value equal to or <0.05 was considered statistically significant
Student t-test showed no gender difference in mean number of rugae, shape and unification P>0.05. Length of rugae showed significant difference with more 5–10 mm rugae in females and >10mm in males.
Wavy shape was predominant among both genders showing significant difference in length of rugae between males and females. This study results provide baseline data and directs further studies on larger sample size of Arab Libyans for establishing characteristic palatal rugae pattern and sexual dimorphism.
Libya, human Identification, Palatal Rugae, Palatal Rugoscopy, Forensic Dentistry
