Palatal vault osteotomy is performed in the clinic as a preprosthetic procedure designed to increase the depth of the palate and thus attain better retention of maxillary dentures in edentulous patients. However, in some cases relapse occurs. To investigate factors potentially affecting the outcome of this procedure, we performed palatal vault osteotomy in 25 adult dogs. After surgery the morphological changes of the palate were determined by plaster models and Moire topograms.
One month postoperatively, palate depth had increased by an average of 4.1mm, palate surface was 1.14 times that of control and palate volume was 1.4 times that of control. However, two mcnth after surgery each of these parameters tended to decrease. As for the width and anteroposterior length of the palate, no changes were detected one or two months postoperatively.
The results of this study indicate that the relapse observed two months after surgery was due to the suction pressure exerted when taking the impressions for plaster models. This pressure most likely contributed to the downward movement of the palate. Sincebone segments can be easily moved during procedures that require negative pressure, it is of great importance tc carefully take impressions and to insert dentures as soon as possible.
