The influence of facial types on the morphology and location of the greater palatine foramen: a CBCT study

Objective This study aimed to assess the morphology and location of the great palatine foramen (GPF) of different facial types using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Methods Sixty CBCT scans were divided into: brachyfacial (n = 20), dolichofacial (n = 20) and mesofacial (n = 20) using Ricketts' VERT index for the determination of cephalometric facial type and imported into ImageJ software. GPF shape was characterized as: round, elongated in the anteroposterior direction (EAP), or elongated in the latero-medial direction (ELM). The distances between the GPF and the palatine suture (PS), the center of the GPF and the center incisive foramen (IF), the GPF and the palatine alveolar ridge (PAR), right side GPF (GPFr) and left side (GPFl) GPFs; and the angles formed from the intersection of the GPF, IF and PS were assessed. The position of the GPF was evaluated in relation to the molars. Results GPFr and GPFl mean distances from PAR presented higher values for dolichofacial patients (p < 0.05). GPFr and GPFl location distally to the third molar (3 M) was higher for brachyfacial type, while their location distally to the second molar was higher for mesofacial and between the mesial and distal surfaces of the 3 M for dolichofacial (p < 0.05). Conclusions The GPF was more distant from the PAR in the dolichofacial-type group. The location of the GPF in relation to the molars varied according to the facial type. However, the morphology of the GPF was similar in the three facial types, and the elongated in the anteroposterior direction morphology was more frequent.