Radiological and Anatomical Evaluation of the Hard Palate in Healthy Adults: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: Due to the hard palate's structure and position, it serves as one of the main structural components in the oral sensorimotor system. This study aimed to examine the hard palate angle, inclination, depth types, and the presence of S-shaped projection in healthy individuals.

Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 130 healthy individuals, aged between 18 and 58 years, were retrospectively analyzed. Four parameters, such as hard palate angle (HPA), hard palate inclination (HPI), hard palate depth types (HPDT), and hard palate S-shaped projection, were statistically evaluated.

Results: The participants' mean age was 32.57 ± 12.77 years. The HPA was measured at 139.44 ± 7.65 degrees in healthy subjects (138.03 ± 7.00 degrees in females and 141.16 ± 7.75 degrees in males, P = 0.020). When the findings were analyzed, no significant differences were found between genders in terms of HPDT and HPI classification, or the distribution of HPI types and the presence of an S-shaped projection.

Conclusions: In this study, the authors evaluated the hard palate angle, inclination, depth types, and the presence of S-shaped projection in healthy individuals. Due to its complex anatomy and central position within the craniofacial region, the hard palate serves as a key landmark, providing important anatomical and clinical insights. The data obtained may assist especially anatomists, dentists, and anesthetists in understanding normal variations and supporting accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.