Comparison of rugae dimensions among dental students from Punjab and Assam: A forensic study

• Main Authors: Mamta Tanwar, Sandeep Goyal, Karthikeyan Ramalingam, Yogesh Kumar, Kanika Aggarwal, Vikram Pal Aggarwal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Dentistry and Medical Research
• Subjects: Ethnic groups; forensic odontology; palatal rugae dimensions
• Online Access: http://www.dmrjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2348-1471;year=2017;volume=5;issue=2;spage=43;epage=47;aulast=Tanwar

Background: Identification of an individual is a very important aspect of forensic odontology. Palatal rugae can aid in this identification, as they remain unchanged once formed in embryo. Aim: The aim of the study was to establish the reliability of using the palatal rugae dimensions in identifying the different ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: A total number of sixty participants of two different ethnic groups were taken. The sample size consisted of thirty individuals of Assam and thirty individuals of Punjab between the age range of 17 and 26 years, with 15 males and 15 females in each group. The casts were prepared with alginate impression and digital caliper was used to measure the dimensions of rugae at different points on both right and left sides. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 20 with unpaired t-test. Results and Conclusion: The study revealed the statistical significant difference in rugae dimensions of both these ethnic groups.