International Journal of Dental and Health Sciences

10

Authors: Mohammad Assaf1, Shayma Alshalakh2, Fidaa Aliwaiwi2, Samah Qawasmeh2, Tamara Alaraj2

Aim: To evaluate the distribution of gingival biotype among a young adult population and its correlation with morphometric data related to maxillary central incisors. Methods: Only volunteers with healthy periodontium were included. Clinical parameters for maxillary central incisors were: Crown width/crown length ratio (CW/CL), gingival width (GW), probing depth (PD), and gingival thickness (GT). A periodontal probe was inserted in the midbuccal sulcus of the incisor to visually examine gingival thickness. Results: The overall means for CW/CL, GW, and PD were 0.78 ±0.07, 5.82 ±1.25 mm, and 1.56 ±0.40 mm, respectively. Volunteers with clear thin-scalloped gingiva, the means for CW/CL, GW, and PD were 0.70 ±0.01, 4.85 ±0.84 mm, and 1.52 ±0.50 mm, respectively. Mean values for participants with clear thick-flat gingiva were 0.81 ±0.07, 6.30 ±1.10 mm, and 2.30 ±0.71 mm, respectively. All these values were statistically significant between the thin-scalloped and thick-flat biotypes (p<0.05). Conclusions: Gingival biotype could be determined by uncomplicated clinical examination. The different biotypes are equally distributed between genders and there is an equal chance for a young adult to have a thin-scalloped (27%) or thick-flat (29%) biotype. Correlation is present between thick-flat gingiva and greater values of the clinical parameters CW/CL, GW, and PD. Key words: Gingiva, Gingival biotype, Periodontal health, Periodontal probe.