Article information
Year 2019 Volume 69 Issue 3 Page 303-311
Title:
Characteristics of Gingival Biotype of Maxillary Incisors in Thai Young Adults
Keyword(s):
Gingival phenotype, Gingival biotype, Papilla height, Tooth shape, Maxillary incisors
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to determine gingival phenotype prevalence and characteristics in maxillary incisors
in young adults. The maxillary incisors of 100 periodontally healthy subjects (mean age 22.20±0.84 years) were
examined by 2 calibrated examiners. The gingival phenotype was identified using transparency probing and visual
inspection. Clinical parameters; probing depth, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, gingival width, papilla
height, and tooth shape were determined. Descriptive analysis was performed and the clinical parameters between
gingival phenotypes were compared using the t-test and ANOVA. The result demonstrated that maxillary incisor
teeth displayed a thin phenotype (66 %) when assessed using probe translucency. The gingival phenotype was
associated with tooth shape (p<0.01). Thin gingival phenotype had a significantly narrower gingival width, but higher
papilla height compared with the thick phenotype (p<0.001). A scalloped gingival contour was noted when the
papilla height was more than or equal to 4 mm. A thick-flat, thick-scalloped, and thin-scalloped contour was associated
with square, ovoid, and triangular tooth shape, respectively. In conclusion, most subjects demonstrated a thin
gingival phenotype. The thin phenotype was associated with higher papilla height and triangular tooth shape, while
the thick phenotype was associated with broader keratinized tissue width and ovoid/square tooth shape.