DOI: 10.17567/currresdentsci.1764024 ISSN: 2822-2555

Impact of Maxillary Third Molars on the Anatomical Position of the Foramen Palatinum Majus: A CBCT Study

Fatma Yüce, Lorin Cemiloğlu
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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the presence or absence of maxillary third molars on the localization and morphometric features of the foramen palatinum majus (FPM) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on CBCT scans of 250 individuals (139 males, 111 females) aged 20 to 80 years. Morphological characteristics and anatomical measurements of the FPM—including shape, location relative to adjacent teeth, and distances to the midpalatal suture, incisive foramen, and alveolar crest—were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics v29.0. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests for categorical and t-test/ANOVA for continuous variables.Results: The FPM was most located between the distal aspect of the 7th molar and the mesial aspect of the third molar. In the absence of the third molar, the FPM shifted significantly posteriorly (P<.001). The shape of the FPM was predominantly anteroposterior, with significant right-left symmetry (P<.001). Aging was also associated with a posterior shift in FPM localization (P<.05). No significant differences were found in FPM shape according to sex or third molar presence.Conclusion: The presence of maxillary third molars significantly influences the anatomical localization of the FPM. The findings support the use of CBCT as a reliable method for preoperative planning in palatal surgeries and local anesthesia procedures, facilitating anatomically guided, individualized approaches.Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography, foramen palatinum majus, maxillary third molars

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